Television host Piers Morgan has dismissed worries regarding Lionel Messi’s impact during the upcoming 2026 World Cup semi-final between England and Argentina, set for July 15 in Atlanta. Instead, Morgan insists that Jude Bellingham is the true standout of the competition.
Bellingham has demonstrated remarkable skill throughout the knockout rounds. By scoring twice in back-to-back fixtures, he helped secure England’s place in their fourth semi-final appearance. His decisive two goals during the 2-1 quarter-final win against Norway marked a historic milestone; he is now the first player to achieve this feat in consecutive knockout games since Diego Maradona in 1986.
Morgan argued that focusing on Messi is misguided, stating that the genuine challenge lies in whether Argentina can contain Bellingham. Currently, the Real Madrid midfielder has tallied six goals in six matches. This record places him among the tournament’s top scorers, alongside teammates Harry Kane and trailing behind Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe, and Lionel Messi in the race for the Golden Boot.
