The FIFA World Cup is not one of the world’s most attended events for nothing: beyond the sporting aspect, it identifies fans with their culture and with their neighbors, who sing in unison for their team’s victories. In fact, you don’t have to be English to understand why Oasis’ Wonderwall has already become the anthem that gives its name to England’s victories. And how could Jude Bellingham not be moved after scoring the goals that sealed the victory against Norway and hearing the English fans recite the lyrics because they had advanced to the semi-finals.
However, this time the emotional group moment had a special meaning: behind the scenes, cameras focused on David Beckham singing with his son Romeo. He was the most popular English footballer of all time giving his blessing to the new 23-year-old star. Victoria Beckham and his other children did not want to miss the match either, showing the family euphoria with this World Cup. And if that wasn’t enough, Bellingham ended up moved to see the former footballer and the fans join the famous “Hey, Jude.”
The rest is history: a few hours ago they were reunited at Inter Miami’s facilities during England’s preparations for the semi-final against Argentina, which is played today. “It will always be a pleasure,” wrote the Real Madrid player in his Instagram stories alongside the former footballer who played 4 seasons at the White club. Bellingham and Beckham had met in 2023 in a special EA SPORTS campaign during the Qatar 2022 World Cup, in which alternative covers were created for the FIFA 23 video game. Together they starred on the England cover.
The similarities between the two stars of British football
The comparisons are odious, but it’s too evident that the influence of David Beckham and Jude Bellingham goes far beyond football. Both have established themselves as style icons and rank among the footballers with the greatest appeal for major brands. Adidas has continued to prove this by featuring both in its pre-World Cup Backyard Legends campaign, a spot in which the English appear alongside other footballers and celebrities such as Messi, Lamine Yamal, Bad Bunny and Timothee Chalamet.
The differentiator is their commitment to fashion and partnerships with luxury brands: David Beckham maintains a strategic collaboration with HUGO BOSS, faithful to his established image as a benchmark of men’s style, while Jude Bellingham is a Louis Vuitton ambassador and part of Pharrell Williams’s reinterpretation of British style.
Jude Bellingham and David Beckham
And their popularity isn’t a coincidence either. Beckham and Bellingham have managed to build a close image, defined by their rapport with fans and their ability to connect with people inside and outside the world of sport. Gestures such as Bellingham wrapping a jacket around a child before a match, or Beckham celebrating with Inter Miami fans after conquering the MLS Cup in 2021, have reinforced their role as two of the great references of English football, on and off the pitch.
“Since the start of the tournament I said that Bellingham reminds me of Zidane.” Interestingly and until now, football legends such as John Terry had compared Jude Bellingham with the French Zinedine Zidane for his playing style. However, both Beckham in his generation and Bellingham in the current one have led the England team project and have been the image of top clubs, becoming the great reference of English football.
Another curious fact is that Beckham’s generation of players prompted a tradition that remains in the history of the England men’s national team: donating all the bonuses they earn per match played with the national team through the England Footballers Foundation. “As captain of England and a player, I have a responsibility to give back to the people.” Beckham stated in 2007, the year this initiative was launched.
