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According to a report by Daily Post on Thursday, July 16, 2026, English footballer Jude Bellingham has denied rumours that he and Argentina captain Lionel Messi had an ugly brawl in the 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final, saying that the two players’ exchanges were completely normal.
The two players’ exchanges during the match were caught on camera and have since sparked heated debate among football fans and commentators. The video went viral on social media, leading many to speculate that the two were in the midst of an angry altercation.
“There were no issues with Messi,” the Real Madrid star expressed after the match. “We were only talking about a controversial moment in the game.”
Bellingham, speaking after England’s devastating 2-1 loss, denied those claims, explaining that the conversation was just a natural part of high-level football. “It was an honour to share the pitch with Leo. I know people will probably make it mean more than it actually did, but to me, it was meaningless.”
Both sides were playing at full steam ahead of Sunday’s final, which meant the pace of play remained constant. After Anthony Gordon put England ahead in the 55th minute, they appeared to be on the verge of ending their lengthy wait for a World Cup final.
The team under Thomas Tuchel’s tutelage dominated play and played a rock-solid second half of defence. On the other hand, Messi’s two assists ignited a stunning comeback by the reigning champions.
After an equaliser from Enzo Fernandez in the 85th minute, Argentina’s substitute Lautaro Martinez scored in the dying seconds of regulation time to give his team a 2-1 win.
The short exchange between Bellingham and Messi was one of several emotionally charged moments in the hotly contested match. But the England midfielder made it clear that he still holds the Argentine icon in the highest regard.
The 23-year-old lauded the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner for his extraordinary impact on sport and said meeting Messi was a career highlight.
Messi helped Argentina go to their second consecutive World Cup final by assisting on both goals, further demonstrating his quality and helping Lionel Scaloni’s side advance. The 39-year-old was instrumental in the win, even if he failed to score.
Argentina will play Spain in Sunday’s final for the chance to regain the World Cup trophy, while England will get ready to play France in Saturday’s third-place play-off.
