Former England striker Gary Lineker believes Jude Bellingham has the potential to become England’s greatest-ever footballer, highlighting the Real Madrid midfielder’s ability to combine the qualities of three legendary English midfielders.
Lineker praised Bellingham’s passing range, physical drive and goal-scoring instincts, comparing aspects of his game to Paul Scholes, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard.
The former Barcelona and Tottenham Hotspur forward believes Bellingham possesses a rare blend of attributes that makes him an exceptional all-round midfielder.
“Jude has an incredible passing range but Scholes’ passing edges him slightly,” Lineker said.
He added that Bellingham has Gerrard’s energy and ability to drive forward from midfield, despite often operating in an advanced attacking role, while his movement into the penalty area and finishing resemble Lampard’s strengths.
“Jude has all three aspects tied up in one. That’s phenomenal,” Lineker said.
The comments follow Bellingham’s impressive performances for England and Real Madrid. The 23-year-old was recently named England Men’s Player of the Year for the 2025-26 season for the second consecutive time, after scoring seven goals and providing one assist in 12 appearances for the national team.
His performances have strengthened his reputation as one of England’s leading players, with his ability to contribute both defensively and offensively setting him apart from many traditional attacking midfielders.
Lineker’s comparison also revives memories of the debate surrounding Gerrard, Lampard and Scholes, three of England’s most celebrated midfielders, whose overlapping qualities often made it difficult for successive managers to accommodate them in the same starting line-up.
