Jude Bellingham may be doing well in the eyes of the great Michael Jordan (Image: Getty)
Jude Bellingham proved his worth with a dramatic last-minute equaliser against Slovakia in the Euro 2024 round of 16, echoing the competitive spirit of the legendary Michael Jordan. After scoring a stunning overhead kick in the dying seconds, Bellingham walked over to the elated England fans and shouted: “Who else?”
The young star's actions have drawn parallels with basketball icon Michael Jordan, known for his famous “it got personal for me” line as he faced off against rising stars vying for his throne, the Mirror reports.
The Independent reports that the England team enjoyed Michael Jordan's “The Last Dance” during their Euro 2024 campaign, which influenced Bellingham's recent press conference responses to reflect Jordan's intensely competitive nature. While the popular meme “and I took it personally” is a misquote, it sums up Jordan's attitude towards anyone who doubted him – turning them into adversaries he was determined to silence.
Bellingham appears to be adopting a similar mindset for Euro 2024, with his post-match comments signalling that the England team intends to eliminate any distractions and focus on delivering high-quality performances. Speaking after the match, Bellingham said: “You hear a lot of nonsense. It’s nice to be able to give a bit of what you’ve given back. For me, football, being on the pitch, scoring goals and celebrating, is a way of releasing myself. Maybe that was a message to a few people.”
Asked about his “sucky” comment, the midfielder tapped into his inner Jordan, saying: “You know what I mean by 'sucky'. People talk a lot. You have to take it a little bit personally.”
“We work really hard for this game. We come every day, we work hard to put on a performance for the fans. Sometimes it doesn’t go well and sometimes it feels like there’s a bit of pressure, it’s not nice to hear. But you can always use it and in moments like that it’s nice to throw it back at some people.”
Michael Jordan is considered one of the greatest athletes of all time. (Image: Getty)
Bellingham also found himself in trouble with UEFA after his goal celebration, narrowly escaping with a fine and a suspended suspension. The midfield maestro caused a stir with a controversial crotch gesture after scoring his crucial goal, attracting the attention of UEFA's disciplinary committee.
He was fined €30,000 (£25,400) and given a one-match ban, with a one-year probationary period from the date of the decision. It means Bellingham will only be sidelined for a future match if he commits another offence in the next 12 months, allowing him to play in the remainder of Euro 2024, provided he stays out of trouble.
That warning, combined with England's turnaround against Slovakia, should serve as motivation for the team to return to their best, a sight fans have rarely seen at this tournament. The team has been rightly criticized for its uninspiring performances and narrow victories, leaving supporters with little to be optimistic about.
However, with Switzerland leading into today's quarter-finals, and the team within strides of a second successive Euro final, could Bellingham's inner Jordan resurface?
England will be aiming to show they are a team ready and willing to end their 58-year international drought. The Three Lions take on Switzerland at 5pm, with fans able to watch the action on BBC1 from 4pm or via BBC iPlayer.
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1919707/Jude-Bellingham-Michael-Jordan-England-Euro-2024