The 2026 World Cup has been a spectacle of talent and drama, but one player who has truly stood out is Jude Bellingham. The young English midfielder has been nothing short of exceptional, and former England striker Wayne Rooney believes he is the best player in the tournament so far. With six goals in six games, Bellingham is hot on the heels of France's Kylian Mbappe and Argentina's Lionel Messi in the Golden Boot race. What makes Bellingham's performance even more impressive is his ability to perform in the biggest games. At just 23 years old, he has become a big-game player for England, with nine goals and three assists in World Cups and European Championships. His Real Madrid teammate Mbappe is the only European player to have scored more than nine goals in a major tournament before the age of 24. But what really sets Bellingham apart is his work ethic and desire. He averages a goal or assist every 138 minutes at major tournaments for England, compared to one every 284 minutes in other international matches. This is a testament to his energy, passion, and drive, which are rare qualities in a player of his age. Personally, I think Bellingham's performance at this World Cup is a sign of things to come. He has already put to rest any doubts about his ability, and his performance against Argentina in the semi-finals could be the moment that cements his status as one of the world's best players. But it's not just Bellingham who is making waves at this World Cup. England captain Harry Kane has also been in exceptional form, and Rooney believes he could be the key to England's success against Argentina. If Kane and Bellingham score against Argentina, they will become the top scorers in one major tournament for England. Gary Lineker in 1986 and Kane in 2018 scored six goals, and both won the Golden Boot. Kane and Bellingham have been crucial to England's run to the last four, scoring 12 out of their 13 goals. No team in history to have scored more than 10 times has been more reliant on two players' goals in a single World Cup. However, Rooney believes that Argentina's center-backs Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martinez will struggle with Kane. If Kane is on it, he'll be a nightmare for that type of defender, and if he comes deep and they come with him, it's about the timing of the pass and run in behind. If he's on it, he'll destroy these center-backs. What makes this tournament particularly fascinating is the contrast between the two teams. England, with its young, energetic players, is a team on the rise, while Argentina, with its experienced, world-class players, is a team that has been there and done that. This raises a deeper question: can England's youth and energy overcome Argentina's experience and skill? In my opinion, the answer is not yet clear. But one thing is certain: this World Cup has been a spectacle of talent and drama, and Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane are at the heart of it.
