Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane has issued a warning to England’s Jude Bellingham, urging the young midfielder to “be careful” with his on-field behavior and celebrations.
Bellingham has been the talk of the town following England’s dramatic win over Slovakia in the Euro 2024 tournament. His stunning overhead kick saved England from elimination and sent the game into extra time, where Harry Kane ultimately scored the winner.
However, it was Bellingham’s celebration that drew mixed reactions. The 21-year-old was seen asking, “Who else?” after scoring, a gesture that some interpreted as cocky and arrogant.
‘Arrogant’ Jude Bellinham (pictured) has been advised to tone down his celebrations, according to Roy Keane.
Keane (pictured) expressed his disapproval of Bellingham’s ‘Who else?’ celebration.
Bellingham celebrated his equalizing goal by asking, ‘Who else?’ as his teammates rushed to congratulate him.
Keane, speaking on the Stick to Football: The Overlap Special podcast, shared his thoughts on Bellingham’s celebration. “If you scored a big goal, to me that wouldn’t even cross your mind,” he said. “You’d be with your teammates.”
He added, “Scoring goals is the best part of football, but I just can’t imagine that you’d have something in your head to say, ‘Who else?’ That’s the bit where I’d be going, ‘Hold on a second.’ It’s a bit arrogant.”
Keane advised Bellingham to be cautious, stating, “You’re always walking a fine line; you don’t want it to seem like it’s all about you.”
However, Ian Wright, co-host of the podcast, defended Bellingham. “I’m not concerned about Jude Bellingham at all,” Wright said. “He’s shown in adversity that he’s going to go and do it, he believes in himself, so why then does he have to go into an interview afterwards and go the other way?”
Bellingham nearly faced suspension for appearing to make an inappropriate gesture during his celebration.
Ian Wright (pictured) defended Bellingham, stating that he is not concerned about the young midfielder’s attitude.
Gary Neville (pictured) stated that as long as Bellingham is popular with his teammates and grounded, he can express his emotions freely.
Bellingham appeared to make an inappropriate gesture after scoring England’s equalizing goal.
Gary Neville, another football pundit, chimed in on the discussion. “I think it’s fine to demonstrate any emotion, and all football players have an ego,” he said. “But is he popular with his teammates, and is he grounded and not letting anything get carried away? Those are the important questions.”
Neville added, “If he’s in control, popular with his teammates, and not getting carried away, then he can express himself as he likes.”
Following the controversy, Bellingham has received a suspended one-game ban and a fine of £25,000 from UEFA for his gesture. However, he will be available for England’s crucial Euro 2024 quarter-final match against Switzerland.
European football’s governing body launched an investigation into the incident, in which Bellingham appeared to grab his genitals. UEFA contacted Bellingham and the Slovakian FA for their statements, and Bellingham denied that the gesture was directed at the Slovakian bench.