Paul Scholes urges Jude Bellingham to learn from Messi after England’s World Cup exit

Paul Scholes slams Jude Bellingham’s ‘hard man’ act after England’s World Cup heartbreak

Paul Scholes has called out Jude Bellingham’s playing style after England’s 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final exit on 15 July in Atlanta. The Three Lions squandered a 1-0 lead in stoppage time, with Lionel Messi orchestrating Argentina’s 2-1 comeback via two assists for Enzo Fernández and Lautaro Martínez.

Scholes, speaking on The Good, The Bad & The Football, argued Bellingham’s aggression cost him chances to influence the game more like Messi did in the last 10 minutes. “He’s got a bit of temper, really stuck in about him,” Scholes said. “He didn’t need to do that. He needed to pass the ball.”

Why Scholes thinks Bellingham must change his approach

The former Manchester United midfielder praised Bellingham’s six-goal haul in seven games but insisted the Real Madrid star must drop the ‘hard man’ persona. Scholes contrasted Bellingham’s physicality with Messi’s knack for staying involved in tight moments, even when under pressure.

“He’s got that mentality Messi showed in the last 10 minutes,” Scholes added. “He’s got to be involved. He’s got to be doing everything.” England’s defeat left them facing France in the third-place play-off on 18 July in Miami, a match they hope to win for the first time since 1966.

Bellingham dismisses Messi ‘chat’ speculation

Bellingham clarified a post-match exchange with Messi was about a foul call, not tension. “The chat with Messi? Actually, we were discussing a foul,” he told Yahoo Sports. “It was nothing out of the ordinary.”

He explained Messi questioned a foul earlier in the game, while Bellingham replied: “You’re strong enough to take it.” The Real Madrid man added he expected the moment to be exaggerated by observers.

What’s next for England and Messi’s Argentina

England now aim to finish third at the 2026 World Cup, while Messi’s Argentina face Spain in the final on 19 July in New Jersey, bidding to defend their title. Scholes’ critique adds pressure on Bellingham to refine his game ahead of the play-off, where a win would mark England’s best finish since their 1966 triumph.

The match against France comes just three days after the semi-final heartbreak, with Bellingham and his teammates under scrutiny to deliver in the consolation fixture.