Bellingham the best player at World Cup, claims Rooney

Wayne Rooney thinks Jude Bellingham has been the standout performer at the 2026 World Cup.

Bellingham has netted six goals through the tournament, scoring doubles in England's wins over Mexico and Norway.

Only Harry Kane (four) and Gary Lineker (three) have ever had more matches in which they scored 2+ goals for the Three Lions at the World Cup than Bellingham.

In the history of the competition overall, the only midfielder with more 2+ goal games than Bellingham is Peru's Teofilo Cubillas (three).

And former England forward Rooney feels Bellingham has been the best player at the tournament.

"In terms of best in the world, I think you're looking at someone like [Kylian] Mbappe or [Erling] Haaland," he said on The Wayne Rooney Show.

"Bellingham hasn't quite hit those levels at Real Madrid this season, but he's been the best player in the tournament for me.

"With Jude, it's all about energy, passion, desire, drive and that's how he's getting his rewards.

"That's very rare to have that. A lot of these top players rely on the ability and the technique to get their moments. Jude has desire and hunger and it's so refreshing to see a player playing the toughest game but also doing it.

"That's what fans want, especially the England fans. They want to see players running and working for the team and for the badge.

"He reminds me of me in terms of one minute you're thinking, 'this lad's a genius', and the next minute you're thinking, 'don't go into that tackle, don't get sent off'.

"It's exactly how I was. But he's obviously backing it up in the biggest tournament. There were doubters before, but he's put all that to bed."

With Kane and Bellingham having both scored six goals at this tournament, it is the first time England have had two players hit 6+ goals in a single edition of the tournament.

England take on Argentina on Wednesday for a place in the final, with Spain waiting for the victor.