Jude Bellingham has carried England through the altitude of Mexico City then the searing heat and humidity of Miami on what increasingly looks like a personal mission to end a 60-year wait to win the World Cup.
The World Cup can sometimes turn into one player's destiny, carrying an unstoppable momentum towards the sport's greatest prize.
Think Diego Maradona with Argentina in 1986. Think Ronaldo's redemption with Brazil in Yokohama in 2002. Think Lionel Messi finally claiming his personal Holy Grail with Argentina in Doha in 2022.
Despite the England star again coming to his nation's aid with two goals that overcame Norway in the Miami furnace, Bellingham has a long way to go to be bracketed with those iconic figures.
Indeed, there are huge barriers to cross just at this tournament with Messi and Argentina waiting in Atlanta in the semi-final after they beat Switzerland.
The World Cup can sometimes turn into one player's destiny, carrying an unstoppable momentum towards the sport's greatest prize.
Think Diego Maradona with Argentina in 1986. Think Ronaldo's redemption with Brazil in Yokohama in 2002. Think Lionel Messi finally claiming his personal Holy Grail with Argentina in Doha in 2022.
Despite the England star again coming to his nation's aid with two goals that overcame Norway in the Miami furnace, Bellingham has a long way to go to be bracketed with those iconic figures.
Indeed, there are huge barriers to cross just at this tournament with Messi and Argentina waiting in Atlanta in the semi-final after they beat Switzerland.
26 days ago
