Cesc Fabregas makes Lionel Messi claim as Jude Bellingham spearheads England to Euro 2024 win against Serbia
Former Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas reckons England midfielder Jude Bellingham reminds him of a certain Lionel Messi after his exploits in the Three Lions' Euro 2024 opener. The 20-year-old scored the winner in England's 1-0 win over Serbia in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday (June 16).
Gareth Southgate's side dominated proceedings before Bellingham's 13th-minute opener made it four wins in a row for the Three Lions in major tournament openers.
Bellingham is coming off a superb debut season with Real Madrid - registering 23 goals and 13 assists in 42 games across competitions - helping them to three titles, including La Liga and the UEFA Champions League.
He continued from where he left off, making the star turn in the Three Lions' Euro 2024 opener, reminding Fabregas of a young Lionel Messi. On Ferdinand's question about youngsters who play like captains from day one, Fabregas replied (as per Rako Tuke):
"Well, Messi.."
Fabregas continued (as per Express via BBC):
"These type of personalities, they don't care what age they are, they don't care where they play, what stage, they will deliver."
Bellingham and Co. will next be in action against Denmark on Thursday (June 20) in Frankfurt.
Euro 2024: England's Jude Bellingham will look to emulate Lionel Messi's heroics at 2022 FIFA World Cup
England midfielder Jude Bellingham has made a superb start to his career, especially in major tournaments, eliciting comparisons with Lionel Messi. While he has a long way to go to match the Argentinian's stellar exploits, Bellingham has made a superb start.
After coming off the bench in three games at Euro 2020 - where the Three Lions lost to Italy on penalties in the final - Bellingham started all five games at the 2022 FIFA World Cup - scoring and assisting once. Gareth Southgate's side reached the quarterfinals, losing 2-1 to France.
In that same tournament, Messi led from the front - with seven goals and three assists in seven games - as the Albiceleste went all the way. Bellingham will look to match those exploits for England at Euro 2024 to boost his credentials for the Ballon d'Or.