Former England captain John Terry has likened Jude Bellingham to French football great Zinedine Zidane, describing the midfielder as the driving force behind Englandās run to the semi-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Speaking on the FIFA Podcast on Monday, Terry said Bellinghamās influence on the England team mirrors Zidaneās impact during Franceās victorious 1998 World Cup campaign and their run to the 2006 final.
āI said at the start of this World Cup, he reminds me of Zidane. Heās dragging this team through at the moment. I think heās world class. Also, you listen to him off the pitch, heās got a real calmness about him as well,ā Terry said.
Bellingham has been instrumental in Englandās knockout-stage campaign, scoring four goals. He netted twice in the Three Lionsā 3-2 round-of-16 victory over co-hosts Mexico City before adding another brace in the quarter-final win against Norway.
Former Brazil midfielder Gilberto Silva also praised the 23-year-old, agreeing with Terryās comparison and highlighting Bellinghamās ability to rise to the occasion in high-profile matches.
āIn these big matches, thatās 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,ā Silva said.
āI think thereās a lot more to come from him. Heās in a way similar to Zidane and the comparison JT made with Zidane makes sense.ā
With his two goals against Norway, Bellingham became the first midfielder to score six goals at a FIFA World Cup.
England will face defending champions Argentina in the semi-finals, but Terry expressed confidence that the Three Lions have what it takes to book a place in the final.
āIām not worried about Argentina, if Iām honest.
āI donāt look at Argentina and sit here being worried about them being better than us.
āI think, man-for-man, weāre better than Argentina.
āYou know what I like about this England side at the minute? Weāve had big moments,ā he said.
