Media Scrutiny of Jude Bellingham: A Reflection on Race and Athletic Stardom

Jude Bellingham made his England debut in 2020.

Former England striker Ian Wright has expressed concern that some individuals may not be “ready for a black superstar,” particularly in light of the media’s scrutiny of Jude Bellingham. The Real Madrid midfielder has faced criticism following his reaction to being substituted during England’s World Cup qualifying match against Albania last weekend.

Head coach Thomas Tuchel, who previously apologized to Bellingham for labeling his on-field behavior as “repulsive,” indicated that he would review the midfielder’s actions. While Bellingham had a standout performance as England finished as runners-up in Euro 2024, his position as a guaranteed starter under Tuchel is now in question, casting uncertainty on his inclusion in next summer’s World Cup squad.

Wright believes that the media’s coverage of the 22-year-old, who debuted internationally at the age of 17, is influenced by the color of his skin, suggesting that his confidence “frightens certain people.” On The Overlap YouTube channel, he remarked, “I’m worried for Jude simply because he’s somebody that they [the media] can’t control. He’s showing people that I’m here, I’m black, I’m proud, I’m ready to go.”

Since departing Birmingham City in 2020 for Borussia Dortmund and subsequently joining Real Madrid three years later in a deal reportedly worth up to €133.9 million (£115 million), Bellingham’s stature has significantly increased. He achieved a La Liga and Champions League double in his first year at the Bernabeu, netting 23 goals and providing 13 assists.

At Euro 2024, Bellingham played a crucial role in propelling Gareth Southgate’s squad to the quarter-finals, notably scoring a spectacular overhead kick in the 95th minute against Slovakia to force extra time.

Gary Neville, a former England defender and coach, shared that Raheem Sterling felt similarly targeted by the media during Euro 2016. In 2018, Sterling questioned the representation of black footballers in national publications, suggesting that such portrayals perpetuated prejudice.

When asked about parallels to his own experiences, Wright stated, “I don’t think they’re ready for a black superstar who can move like Jude is moving. They can’t touch him. He goes out there, performs, and does his job. It’s too uppity for these people. In football terms, they adore N’Golo Kante; he embodies humility. However, figures like Pogba or Bellingham, with their dynamic energy, seem to unsettle them. For some reason, Jude’s capabilities and the inspiration he embodies frighten these individuals.”

Bellingham was omitted from England’s October squad facing Wales and Latvia before returning for the qualifiers against Serbia and Albania this month. He entered the match against Serbia after 65 minutes and was substituted after 84 minutes during the Albania match.

Tuchel commented on the competitive nature of players like Bellingham, stating, “To a certain degree, if you have players like Jude, who are intensely competitive, they will never appreciate being substituted. However, he must accept that we uphold standards, levels, and mutual respect, and we won’t alter our decisions based on someone’s reaction.”

In light of the racial abuse faced by Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford, and Jadon Sancho following their missed penalties in the Euro 2021 final, the issue of race in sports remains sensitive. A mural of Rashford, who campaigned against government proposals to eliminate free school meals during the holidays, was defaced in South Manchester after the final.

Wright concluded, “If you are outspoken, black, and performing at a high level without concern for backlash, that can frighten certain people.” He scored nine goals in 33 appearances for England.