Phil Foden explains why Jude Bellingham is ‘gift from God’ as Man City & England star looks to swap 2020 injury tears for long-awaited international glory at Euro 2024

The same can be said for Real Madrid star Bellingham, who has also reached the 20-goal mark in his debut campaign at Santiago Bernabeu. He is fast becoming a talismanic presence for club and country, with Foden telling the Daily Mail of his talented international team-mate: “I have never seen anyone so mature for his age. I feel he’s got a gift from God with his physique. We really need him

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  Bellingham will turn 21 during Euro 2024, the same age that Foden was when helping England to the final of that event three years ago. The City star missed out on facing Italy in a Wembley showpiece back then after picking up an unfortunate injury, with the highly-rated playmaker old adding on that subject: “That was just crazy. I was walking in after training the day before the final. Someone just passed me the ball. I tried to control it by putting one leg behind the other, just a trick, and my standing leg just, well I heard a crack and I knew straight away. I couldn’t walk. It was devastating. I remember Gareth speaking to me and I just couldn’t help crying. I couldn’t even get any words out. I was so upset. I have learned a lesson from that, you know. I try and not do so much after training now. The coaches will probably tell you I am lying. But that really woke me up.”

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  WHAT NEXT FOR FODEN?

  England will be competing in Group C this summer alongside Slovenia, Denmark and Serbia. Foden will be hoping to figure prominently in another quest for continental glory, with the City academy graduate currently boasting 33 caps and four senior goals for his country.