Jude Bellingham has emerged as the standout player at the World Cup 2026, according to former England striker Wayne Rooney. The Real Madrid midfielder has netted six goals in six matches for England, positioning himself just two goals shy of Kylian Mbappe of France and Lionel Messi of Argentina in the Golden Boot race.

Erling Haaland, who saw his Norway team eliminated by England in the quarter-finals, leads with seven goals, while Harry Kane, the captain of the Three Lions, is tied with Bellingham.

As England prepares to face Messi's Argentina on Wednesday in the second semi-final at 20:00 BST, Rooney shared his thoughts on Bellingham during The Wayne Rooney Show. He acknowledged that while players like Mbappe and Haaland are among the best in the world, Bellingham has been exceptional throughout the tournament.

Bellingham, at only 23 years old, has established himself as a significant player for England, tallying nine goals and three assists in major tournaments like the World Cup and European Championships. Notably, he has averaged a goal or assist every 138 minutes in these competitions, a stark contrast to 284 minutes in other international fixtures.

Rooney highlighted Bellingham's attributes, stating:

It's all about energy, passion, desire, drive. He reminds me of me—one moment a genius, the next, a cautionary tale.

Rooney's praise underscores Bellingham's impact, as he continues to silence critics and perform at the highest level on the biggest stage.