Jude Bellingham has revealed Erling Haaland's kind messages during the World Cup, as he continues to star for England.
The 19-year-old midfielder has been a revelation for the Three Lions in Qatar, scoring one goal and registering one assist over four outstanding performances. Bellingham's dominant displays have garnered him rave reviews across the globe, and ex- Borussia Dortmund teammate Haaland is among those impressed.
Having spent two years alongside Bellingham at Dortmund, Haaland knows the English sensation well and has been in contact with him during the tournament which his Norway didn't qualify for. "He's always really encouraging," Bellingham told BBC Sport. "He messaged me before and after the first game just saying, 'good luck' and then he said 'well done'. He's a top guy."
The talented teenager added: "We speak every now and then to be fair. Normally when we're both playing it's more often, but it's normally silly stuff to be honest, just if he sees something that makes him laugh or if I see something that we've talked about before we'll send it to each other. But it's never like every day, checking up on each other, you know."
While Manchester City striker Haaland departed Dortmund this past summer to join the Premier League champions, Bellingham is still plying learning his trade in Germany. Having made the move from boyhood club Birmingham City in June 2020, six months after Haaland arrived in the Bundesliga, the all-action playmaker has already racked up 112 appearances and has even captained the side on occasions this season.
Expected to leave Dortmund in the summer of 2023, Bellingham could be reunited with his former teammate at City. However, fellow European heavyweights such as Liverpool, Chelsea, Real Madrid and Manchester United are also keen on his signature.
According to German newspaper BILD, Liverpool are the current frontrunners. Bellingham's family, who's set to have a big say on his footballing future, are said to prefer a move to Anfield and the report notes that talks with the Reds are more advanced than discussions with Real Madrid.
The Birmingham-born dynamo has been tight-lipped on his future and is fully focused on the current campaign, having already scored 10 goals for club and country this term. "In all honesty, I'm not thinking about it. I know you're going to be angry because you can't get a headline," Bellingham joked to Sky Sports in October.
"I'm focused completely on Borussia Dortmund. I've not even started thinking about next season or next summer - I'm not even thinking about the World Cup."
Have your say! Should Bellingham reunite with Haaland at Man City? Join the debate in the comments section.
He's certainly thinking about the World Cup now, though, stunning fans and even his England teammates with a series of immense showings. Jordan Henderson, notably Liverpool's captain, has struck up a good relationship with Bellingham on and off the pitch, and he admitted to beIN Sport: "I feel I'm running out of things to say about him.
"Incredible mentality, incredible player. You're talking about a player whose mentality is unique. He's a one-off and we just need to let him enjoy his football."
