Rooney Praises Bellingham’s World Cup Performance

Wayne Rooney, the former England and Manchester United star, has compared Jude Bellingham’s recent performance against Mexico to some of the best displays he has ever seen. Rooney believes the young midfielder’s effort was just as impressive as legendary matches from Steven Gerrard and Roy Keane.

Bellingham, only 20 years old, has been one of the brightest stars in world football. His energy and skill on the pitch have drawn praise from fans and experts alike, and now one of England’s all-time top scorers has added his voice to the chorus.

Bellingham’s All-Action Midfield Brilliance

During the World Cup 2026 qualifier, Bellingham controlled the game from start to finish. He did everything a midfielder could do:

• Won tackles in midfield
• Created scoring chances for teammates
• Scored a crucial goal himself
• Covered huge amounts of ground

His performance reminded many of the days when England had world-class midfielders like Gerrard and Keane running games for their clubs and country. Rooney says Bellingham now belongs in that elite group.

Why Rooney Compares Him to Gerrard and Keane

Rooney played alongside Gerrard for England and faced Keane many times for Manchester United. He knows exactly what made those players special. According to Rooney, Bellingham combines the best traits of both:

• Like Gerrard, he can drive forward with the ball and score from distance
• Like Keane, he is tough in the tackle and never backs down
• He also has a football brain that lets him read the game quickly

That mix of skill, power, and intelligence is rare. Rooney says Bellingham’s match against Mexico was a reminder that England have a special talent for years to come.

What This Means for England at World Cup 2026

With Bellingham in top form, England’s chances in the World Cup look even brighter. The team already has a strong squad, and having a midfielder who can dominate games like this gives them a huge advantage. Rooney believes the young star is ready to carry the team on his shoulders when needed.

Fans will be excited to see more performances like this. If Bellingham keeps playing at this level, he could become one of England’s all-time greats. For now, he is simply enjoying the praise from one of his idols.