Former England captain, John Terry, has likened Jude Bellingham to French football icon Zinedine Zidane, praising the midfielder’s influence on England’s journey to the semi-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Speaking on the FIFA Podcast on Monday, Terry said Bellingham has become the key figure driving the Three Lions forward, comparing his impact to Zidane’s role in France’s 1998 World Cup-winning campaign and their run to the 2006 final.
“I said at the start of this World Cup, he reminds me of Zidane. He’s dragging this team through at the moment. I think he’s world class. Also, you listen to him off the pitch, he’s got a real calmness about him as well,” Terry said.
Bellingham has been England’s standout performer in the knockout rounds, scoring four goals. He struck twice in the 3-2 round-of-16 victory over co-hosts Mexico City before bagging another brace in the quarter-final triumph against Norway.
Former Brazil international Gilberto Silva agreed with Terry’s comparison, saying Bellingham has repeatedly risen to the occasion in high-pressure fixtures.
“In these big matches, that’s when you need your big players to step up, and he has shown that over the past two years, before with Real Madrid and now in the World Cup,” Silva said.
“I think there’s a lot more to come from him. He’s in a way similar to Zidane and the comparison JT made with Zidane makes sense.”
The double against Norway also saw Bellingham become the first midfielder to score six goals at a FIFA World Cup.
England will next take on reigning champions Argentina in the semi-finals, with Terry expressing confidence that the Three Lions have what it takes to reach the final.
“I’m not worried about Argentina, if I’m honest.
“I don’t look at Argentina and sit here being worried about them being better than us.
“I think, man-for-man, we’re better than Argentina.
“You know what I like about this England side at the minute? We’ve had big moments.
“We’ve got a good side but it feels like everything’s going for us. It feels like it’s England’s time,” he concluded.
