​Erling Haaland believes England are fortunate to have Jude Bellingham after the Real Madrid midfielder delivered a standout performance to help England advance in the World Cup, beating Norway 2-1 to reach the semi-finals where they will meet Argentina. Bellingham’s brace proved decisive as England overcame a resilient Norway side, sealing a place in the last four and keeping alive their quest for World Cup glory.
Haaland and Bellingham were once teammates at Borussia Dortmund, and the Norway striker was quick to credit his former Dortmund colleague for the impact he has had at this tournament. “Jude is a good friend,” Haaland said. “We had two good years together in Dortmund, so we stay in touch and everything, and he’s such a good guy. I’ve said it so many times.”
Haaland spoke candidly about how much fun they shared during their time at Dortmund and expressed no surprise at Bellingham’s performance in Qatar. “We’ve had so much fun together, and I’m not surprised that he scores two goals today and performs the way he does,” Haaland added. He also highlighted a common frustration among some observers who have questioned Bellingham’s impact because he isn’t a traditional goal-scoring midfielder, arguing that those criticisms are unfounded.
According to Haaland, Bellingham’s contributions go far beyond goals. “The only thing is that sometimes I think he gets a bit too much criticism because he doesn’t score enough goals or whatever it is, and I think he doesn’t really deserve it because I think he’s one of the best in the world. He’s a midfielder, he still scores goals, he’s still managed to dribble past every single player on the field, so it’s just praise for Jude,” he said.
Haaland emphasized that Bellingham’s performances elevate England’s prospects in the tournament. “He is unbelievable and England is lucky, Madrid is lucky, because everybody would want a Jude in the team,” Haaland remarked, underscoring how Bellingham’s influence extends beyond the pitch and into the broader football landscape. With England’s path to the semi-finals now secured, the two friends’ public exchange also highlighted the respect between players who shared a formative period at Dortmund before establishing themselves as Premier League and La Liga stars.
Haaland’s comments come amid rising recognition of Bellingham’s maturity, leadership, and technical ability on the world stage. The 19-year-old’s performance against Norway showcased his ability to influence games with both decisive finishing and incisive distribution, reinforcing the view that he is among the brightest talents in contemporary football. For England, Bellingham’s form strengthens their prospects as they prepare to face a formidable Argentina side in the knockout rounds, while Haaland’s praise reflects a broader appreciation for one of the game’s most dynamic midfielders today.