Jude Bellingham explains the moment with Lionel Messi after England’s World Cup semi-final defeat, saying there was no issue between them

England midfielder Jude Bellingham has played down his exchange with Lionel Messi during England’s 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final defeat to Argentina, describing the incident as a normal moment of competitive football rather than a personal disagreement.

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The two players were seen exchanging words during the tense encounter on Wednesday night as emotions rose between England and the defending champions. The moment quickly attracted attention on social media, with fans speculating about the nature of the conversation.

However, Bellingham insisted there was no hostility between him and the Argentina captain after the match.

“There were zero problems with Messi,” Bellingham said.

“We were talking about a frictional shot, actually there was nothing bad at all. I’m sure everyone will do their job and blow it out of proportion, but for me there was nothing.”

The England midfielder added that facing the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner was a memorable experience.

“For me, it was a privilege to face Leo,” he said.

The exchange occurred during a dramatic semi-final encounter in which England initially took the lead through Anthony Gordon before Argentina responded with two late goals to secure their place in the 2026 World Cup final.

The result ended England’s hopes of reaching the final, while Argentina continued their pursuit of another major international title under Messi’s leadership.

Bellingham’s comments helped provide context to the widely discussedclash, with the Real Madrid midfielder emphasising respect for one of football’s greatest figures despite the intensity of the match.

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The 2026 tournament has continued to produce high-pressure encounters between some of the world’s leading players, with moments of confrontation often becoming part of the drama surrounding major international competitions.