Jude Bellingham scored and impressed for England during the team's 4-2 World Cup win against Croatia, winning over ex-Liverpool star Dietmar Hamann, who had previously been critical of the Real Madrid midfielder
Fasika Zelealem Senior Sports Reporter
09:55, 18 Jun 2026
Jude Bellingham put in a brilliant display for England on Wednesday
Jude Bellingham put in a brilliant display for England on Wednesday(Image: Getty Images)
Dietmar Hamann has confessed to a change of heart regarding Jude Bellingham, commending his collective approach during England's victorious World Cup opener.
The Three Lions triumphed 4-2 over Croatia on Wednesday in their Group L fixture, with the Real Madrid star netting England's third goal. At just 22 years old, Bellingham, who has offered his thoughts on Jordan Henderson's selection, is now participating in his fourth international competition for England, consistently delivering for both club and country since his youth.
His commanding presence and self-assurance on the pitch have occasionally drawn accusations of arrogance. Former Liverpool midfielder Hamann, who represented Germany at two World Cups, provided analysis of England's match for RTE and acknowledged that certain aspects of Bellingham's behavior during his time at Borussia Dortmund didn't sit well with him.
He stated: "I saw him for Dortmund for a couple of seasons, and some of the things he did I didn't like at all."
Nevertheless, he pointed to Bellingham's Champions League success in his maiden campaign in Spain and his display against Croatia as evidence of his evolution when functioning within a collective framework.
Hamann continued: "I wasn't sure about him going to Madrid, but I have got to say the way he made the transition to Madrid and winning the Champions League in his first year, there is huge pressure to perform, and tonight he looked like a team player.
Dietmar Hamann has changed his mind on Bellingham
Dietmar Hamann has changed his mind on Bellingham(Image: Getty Images)
"When he does play for the team, when he does work for his teammates, we know he's an excellent player."
Despite being regarded as one of the finest midfielders on the planet, England manager Thomas Tuchel conceded he wasn't a certain starter going into the team's tournament curtain-raiser owing to Morgan Rogers' impressive form.
The debate over Bellingham's inclusion in the XI dominated much of the pre-World Cup discourse, with the 22-year-old confessing he relished silencing his critics through his commanding display.
He told BBC Sport: "Yeah, for me personally it was nice to put some of the noise aside and just show my country and my teammates how committed I am to helping us try and win football matches. I think it was a great team performance second half.
"First half, we still got the intensity right, but with the ball, we weren't quite there. Second half, I think we put it all together nicely, and again, to contribute and help my team, help my country, it's one of the biggest honors. Regardless of the noise outside, that honor doesn't change for me."
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Bellingham acknowledged he's performing with extra motivation amid ongoing speculation about his role in Tuchel's first XI. He remarked after the match: "I think I have a little bit of a chip on the shoulder. I think that helps me a lot.
"To find that focus early in the game, to find that intensity. I know it's part of being a footballer, I don't hold a grudge against anyone who says bad things about me because sometimes I do deserve it. Today it was nice to remind people and show people what I'm about."
England currently sits top of the group and will face Ghana next Tuesday, with the Black Stars also opening their campaign on a winning note after Caleb Yirenkyi's 95th-minute strike secured a 1-0 victory over Panama.