Former England captain John Terry has showered ultimate praise on Three Lions hero Jude Bellingham, comparing his sensational influence at the 2026 FIFA World Cup™ to that of French football icon Zinedine Zidane.
Speaking on the latest episode of the FIFA Podcast, Terry highlighted the Real Madrid midfielder as the absolute driving force behind England’s charge into the semi-finals, where they are scheduled to lock horns with eternal rivals and defending champions Argentina in Atlanta.
Bellingham has been in scintillating, record-breaking form throughout the knockout stages in North America. The 23-year-old superstar bagged a crucial brace in the dramatic 3-2 Round of 16 victory against co-hosts Mexico at the Azteca Stadium, before replicating those heroics with another double to edge past Norway 2-1 in the quarter-finals. His decisive performance against the Norwegians saw him write his name into football folklore, becoming the first midfielder in history to score six goals at a single World Cup tournament.
Terry believes the sheer weight of Bellingham’s contributions mirrors the legendary talismanic displays of Zidane during France’s historic 1998 triumph and their dramatic run to the final in 2006.
“I said at the start of this World Cup, he reminds me of Zidane,” Terry stated during the podcast. “He’s dragging this team through at the moment. I think he’s world-class. Also, you listen to him off the pitch, he’s got a real calmness about him as well.”
The Chelsea legend’s lofty assessment received strong backing from former Arsenal and Brazil midfielder Gilberto Silva, who famously crossed paths with an unstoppable Zidane during the 2006 World Cup. Silva acknowledged that the comparison is fully justified, noting that Bellingham has consistently shown the rare ability to step up and deliver on the biggest sporting platforms over the last two years.
As anticipation builds for the highly volatile showdown against Lionel Messi’s Argentina, Terry made it clear that Thomas Tuchel’s side should have no fear facing the reigning champions. Expressing supreme confidence in the depth and leadership within the current squad, the former defender insisted that England holds the upper hand.
“I’m not worried about Argentina, if I’m honest,” Terry asserted. “I don’t look at Argentina and sit here being worried about them being better than us. I think, man-for-man, we’re better than Argentina. Everything is going for us at the minute. It feels like it’s England’s time.”
With Bellingham operating at the peak of his powers, the Three Lions are firmly eyeing their first World Cup final appearance since 1966.
Ayodele Quadri
Correspondent
