Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterFrom making his professional debut as a 16-year-old to becoming a �100million Real Madrid signing while still a teenager, Jude Bellingham has never appeared to be short of confidence.The former Birmingham City midfielder was at his irresistible best during this summers World Cup, scoring seven goals as England went on to finish third following the semi-final defeat to Argentina.But going into the tournament, it had not been plain sailing, with Thomas Tuchel leaving Bellingham out of his October 2025 England squad, amid criticism from certain sections of the tabloid media.Pick the ultimate 4-4-2 line-up from players in FourFourTwo's definitive Top 100 ListCrouch on how Bellingham answered his criticsAccording to former Liverpool and England striker Peter Crouch, this criticism - and the white-hot pressure of being central to the Three Lions hopes of ending a six-decade wait for a trophy brought out the best in Bellingham.And this was underlined by his match-winning turn in the epic last-16 win over Mexico, when Bellingham got on the scoresheet twice. You may like Emile Heskey explains why Real Madrid star WILL inspire Three Lions to glory HENRY WINTER: Jude Bellingham is England's next captain and he proved it in 20 minutes - because of course he did 'Whatever' Jude Bellingham responds to Thomas Tuchel England criticism after Three Lions beat Norway 2-1 I was there just being in the Azteca was magical for me, and if wed lost 5-0 I would still have been amazed by the whole thing, Crouch tells FourFourTwo.But for him to score those two goals when he burst into the box that people were even questioning him before the tournament looks ridiculous now.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.Crouch netted 22 goals in 42 appearances for England and knows exactly what confidence and momentum can bring to a player.Theres no better feeling, he adds. There was a period for England when I just felt like I was going to score in every game. You feel kind of superhuman and I think Jude was feeling that. You feel like you can walk on water, that whatever you do will turn to gold. Whatever Jude did, it seemed to go that way.These performances further strengthened Crouchs belief that Bellingham has that ability to raise his level just when his teammates need it most. What to read next HENRY WINTER: Jude Bellingham was immense in attack but England's Wonderwall stood firm at the back in World Cup classic Have Thomas Tuchel and Jude Bellingham fallen out after England criticism? Paul Gascoigne reveals which England star has impressed him Certain players raise their game in pressure environments, he continues. Some shrink but some just thrive off it. He thrives in the limelight, in that white hot atmosphere, that cauldron of pressure. Youre either one of those people or youre not. Hes one of those people.I played with Steven Gerrard, who kind of won games on his own, like the FA Cup final against West Ham where he put the team on his back. Hed done the same in Istanbul, and against Olympiacos.England have had a reliance on Harry Kane, but Jude stepped up and helped him, and won games we probably should have lost.Peter Crouch was speaking in association with Paddy PowerTOPICSEnglandWorld CupJoe MewisSocial Links NavigationFor more than a decade, Joe Mewis has worked in football journalism as a reporter and editor. Mewis has had stints at Mirror Football and LeedsLive among others and worked at FourFourTwo throughout Euro 2024, reporting on the tournament. In addition to his journalist work, Mewis is also the author of four football history books that include times on Leeds United and the England national team. Now working as a digital marketing coordinator at Harrogate Town, too, Mewis counts some of his best career moments as being in the iconic Spygate press conference under Marcelo Bielsa and seeing his beloved Leeds lift the Championship trophy during lockdown.With contributions fromChris FlanaganSenior Staff Writer
