Jude Bellingham has dismissed suggestions of any bad blood with Lionel Messi after the pair were involved in an animated exchange during England’s World Cup semi-final defeat to Argentina.
Television cameras picked up the two players gesturing and exchanging words during the first half of Wednesday’s clash in Atlanta, with the moment quickly becoming a talking point after Argentina came from behind to win 2-1.
However, Bellingham insisted the conversation was nothing more than a discussion over a foul.
“We were discussing a foul actually,” he said afterwards.
“It was nothing bad. I’m sure everyone will do their thing and make it a big deal [out of it]. But it was nothing big really.
“I thought there was a foul earlier and he said: ‘What about the one on me?’ I said: ‘You’re strong enough to take it.’ You know what I mean?
“It was a privilege to play against him, it was nothing like that against him. I’m obviously on the losing side which hurts a lot. But a privilege to line up against one of the best.”
Messi has final say
Messi would ultimately have the final say, creating two late goals as Argentina overturned Anthony Gordon’s opener to book a place in Sunday’s World Cup final against Spain.
England had looked on course for their first World Cup final since 1966 after Gordon put Thomas Tuchel’s side ahead, only for Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez to complete the turnaround.
Captain Harry Kane admitted the defeat was difficult to take after England had come so close once again on the international stage.
“I’m gutted,” Kane told BBC Sport.
“I’m gutted for the boys, I’m gutted for everyone, the team, the staff, the fans. We played a good game for the large majority of it.
“Once we went 1-0 up we seemed to just try and hold on which at this level is just not enough, so I’m gutted.
“We worked so hard to be here. The lads have given every last bit of running, sweat, blood, tears, whatever it is, so to fall short like today is just gutting.”
Tuchel scrutinised for tactics
Tuchel’s decision to make defensive substitutions after taking the lead has come under scrutiny, but Kane insisted the message from the coaching staff was to continue attacking.
“We struggled to get pressure on the ball [after the goal],” Kane said.
“I thought especially in the first half and at the start of the second half we pressed them well, put them under loads of pressure, especially high up the pitch which allowed us to win balls and control the game a little bit better.
“After the goal, whether they were putting more men forward or us not being able to match them man-to-man it was just wave after wave.
“The lads were putting blocks in but in the end it was not enough.”
Kane also rejected the suggestion that England deliberately retreated after taking the lead.
“The boys were always ready for any moment in the game,” he said.
“When we went ahead the messaging was to go again and get another goal.
“Once they scored their two goals it was to try and find something but we couldn’t find any momentum to get back in the game.”
