Jude Bellingham to Lionel Messi – ‘Well you’re strong enough to take them’

England’s World Cup dream came to a heartbreaking end on Wednesday as Thomas Tuchel’s side were beaten 2-1 by reigning champions Argentina in the semi-finals at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Inspired by the evergreen brilliance of Lionel Messi, one of football’s greatest-ever players, La Albiceleste struck twice late on to snatch victory and book their place in another World Cup final.

In a pulsating game of kings and knights, it was Messi who once again made the headlines for all the right reasons, with two very important assists on the night. Proving to the entire world once again that, even at the age of 39, he still has the wand stuck to his magical boots.

However, England star Jude Bellingham looked to have gotten into a confrontation with the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, Messi, during the Three Lions’ loss to Argentina, insisting he was ‘discussing a foul’ with the iconic forward.

The Argentine captain once again played an instrumental role to help steer his side into this year’s final, assisting both Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez as the holders snatched victory from the jaws of defeat late on in Atlanta.

England had looked on course for the win after taking the lead through Anthony Gordon in the 55th minute, after guiding Morgan Rogers’ cross home to break the deadlock minutes after the restart.

But the Three Lions were punished after adopting an ultra-defensive approach in an attempt to preserve their slender lead, with Thomas Tuchel’s men dropping deeper and deeper as Argentina attacked with full arsenals.

Bellingham, who was by far England’s standout performer across the campaign, was at the heart of the action again – even after the final whistle, when he was pictured slapping Argentina’s Valentin Barco on the head.

Tempers flared almost immediately, with just four minutes on the clock, when a brief stoppage in play sparked a fiery confrontation between the Real Madrid star and Messi.

The pair exchanged animated gestures before Messi turned away with a wry expression, punctuating the moment with a pointed nod as tensions threatened to boil over.

“We were discussing a foul actually. But no, it was nothing, nothing bad,’ Bellingham told reporters when asked about the incident.

“I’m sure everyone will do their thing and make it a big deal. But no, it was nothing really.

“I thought there was a foul earlier and he said, “What about the one on me?” and I was saying, “Well you’re strong enough to take them”, but no, it was a privilege to play against him.

“There was nothing like that against him.

Bellingham brushed off the confrontation and reiterated that it was a ‘privilege’ to lock horns with the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, who was making his first-ever appearance against the Three Lions.

“I’m obviously on the losing side which hurts a lot,’ he added.

“But it was a privilege to line up against him.”

More to follow…