Former Italy striker Giuseppe Rossi has claimed that Jude Bellingham “never recovered mentally” after an early confrontation with Leandro Paredes during England‘s World Cup semifinal defeat to Argentina. The ex-Manchester United youth player suggested the incident, which occurred within moments of kick-off, effectively ended Bellingham’s influence on the match and allowed Argentina to control the midfield battle.
Argentina secured a 2-1 victory to book their place in the final, with Lionel Messi providing assists for both of his side’s goals. The result dashed England’s hopes of reaching the showpiece event and highlighted the fine margins that determine success at the highest level of international football. For Bellingham, who has established himself as a pivotal figure for both Real Madrid and his national team, the subdued display represented a rare off-day on the sport’s biggest stage.
Writing on his official X account, Rossi identified a specific moment when Paredes pushed Bellingham late after the Real Madrid midfielder had released the ball. The 39-year-old analyst argued that this challenge, coming during Bellingham’s first involvement in the game, formed part of a calculated psychological strategy that Argentina executed masterfully. Rossi noted that such tactics are commonplace at elite levels but prove particularly effective when deployed early against influential opponents.
According to Rossi, the England international became preoccupied with off-the-ball exchanges rather than focusing on his responsibilities, rendering him a peripheral figure for the remainder of the contest. The former striker emphasised that at elite tournaments, matches are frequently decided by mental fortitude and tactical intelligence rather than purely physical or technical attributes. He suggested that Argentina’s ability to disrupt Bellingham’s rhythm set the template for their overall success in the fixture.
Rossi also directed praise towards Messi following his two-assist display. The former Italy international expressed astonishment at the 39-year-old’s sustained excellence, noting that supporters will only fully appreciate the magnitude of his achievements once the competition concludes. Rossi described the Argentine captain as the greatest of all time, citing his continued ability to dominate crucial matches nearly two decades into his senior career.
Rossi earned thirty caps for Italy during his playing career and developed through the youth ranks at Manchester United before spells with Villarreal and Fiorentina. His assessment adds weight to discussions regarding the psychological demands of major tournament football and the subtle gamesmanship that can sway crucial encounters between evenly matched sides.