'Bellingham reminds me of Zidane': Terry hails England star's World Cup heroics

Jude Bellingham has been so influential in England’s run to the FIFA World Cup 2026 semifinals that he is beginning to resemble Zinedine Zidane -- according to Three Lions legend John Terry.

Bellingham scored both goals in England’s quarterfinal triumph over Norway, building on his double in the epic 3-2 victory over co-hosts Mexico City in the Round of 16. And former England captain Terry has likened Bellingham's heroic performances to Zidane's impact during France’s path to glory in 1998 and to the final in 2006.

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“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 told the FIFA Podcast.

Gilberto Silva, who won the World Cup in 2002 with Brazil and was then part of a team knocked out by a Zidane-inspired France in 2006, was fully on board with Terry’s description of Bellingham.

“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,” he 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.”

Bellingham’s brace in Miami saw him become the first midfielder to score six goals at a World Cup and set England on a collision course with old enemy Argentina in Atlanta. While wary of the threat posed by the holders and their captain Lionel Messi, Terry believes the stars are aligning for England as they eye a first World Cup triumph since 1966.

“I’m not worried about Argentina, if I’m honest,” Terry added. “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.”