Bellingham sends defiant message to England fans with touching World Cup letter

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Jude Bellingham has shared a touching letter with a defiant message to England fans after the Three Lions’ heartbreaking World Cup semi-final defeat.

Thomas Tuchel’s team fell to Argentina on Wednesday (July 15) night. After taking the lead with an Anthony Gordon goal, England conceded two late goals to a Lionel Messi-inspired Argentina, ending hopes of a first men’s final since 1966.

Bellingham has been one of the stars of the tournament, scoring six goals, including a double to carry the team past Norway in the quarter-finals last weekend. He was visibly emotional at full time in the Atlanta semi, but did speak publicly in the aftermath of the crushing loss.

He has now shared a touching letter personally handwritten by the England team driver, Michael Chandler, in Kansas on

Instagram

. He captioned his photos of the letter with a defiant message to England fans, restating his belief the team ‘can achieve big things’, before adding: “And we will!”

Posting on Friday morning (July 17),

Real Madrid

ace Jude said: “[I] was really struggling to find the right words for yesterday and the last few weeks but this pretty much hits the nail on the head from our driver in Kansas.

“Thank you for the unbelievable support from back home and to those who spent their hard earned money to travel to America and get behind us.

“Don’t let the unity and love we’ve seen in our country end with this campaign. When we’re together we can achieve big things… And we will! Love yous!”

The letter features a poem titled ‘The Lion’s Way’, which talks about England’s World Cup journey.

Bellingham’s performances have earned him adulation from England fans, who have serenaded the 23-year-old from Stourbridge with rendition of Beatles anthem ‘Hey Jude’.

After the semi-final, Bellingham said he was ‘really gutted’ about the result.

The FA

has confirmed it is sticking with Thomas Tuchel as head coach for the Euros in 2028, which are hosted by the UK and Ireland. That’s despite Tuchel’s tactical decisions and substitutions after England took the lead coming under fire from pundits, ex-players, and fans.

In defending his decision, Tuchel suggested England did not have the ‘DNA’ to protect the lead. He said: “I think ball possession plays a crucial role; it's maybe not in our DNA like it is in our Spanish DNA or in our Argentinian-Brazilian DNA, to take the ball and control the game with the ball."

You can read ‘The Lion’s Way’ poem in full below:

The Lion's Way

The Lion does not boast aloud,

Nor chase the praise of every crowd.

He knows the roar that shakes the night,

Is born when fear is met with might.

The match is not with foe alone,

The truest pitch is self unknown.

Before one pass is struck with grace,

The heart must first have won its race.

For strength is more than driving speed,

Or planting firmly every cleat.

It lives within the iron will,

To climb again the steeper hill.

The body tires. The lungs grow tight.

The legs grow heavy in the fight.

Yet steadfast minds refuse retreat,

They drag the weary to their feet.

Endurance is a faithful friend,

It walks beside you to the end.

While others yield to pain's command,

It whispers low, "Hold your stand."

The clever mind outplays the strong

Who rush with fury all day long.

A patient pass, a measured pace,

Will forever conquer reckless haste.

The hawk may see the pitch above,

The lion wins through steadfast love

Of every movement, every run

Where many minds become but one.

For tactics are not tricks concealed,

But wisdom sharpened on the field.

To know when pressing serves the day

And when restraint becomes the way.

The storm may rage. The crowd may cry.

The score may refuse the sky.

Yet none of these command the soul

Whose purpose governs every goal.

No referee can steal your choice.

No hostile song can drown your voice.

The

world

may shake, the night may burn

Your answer shapes the final turn.

England wore Three Lions bright,

Not chasing glory's fleeting light.

They sought instead a nobler prize,

To master self before men's eyes.

They trusted feet that years had trained

They trusted minds that calm had gained

They trusted hearts that would not bend

Though every minute neared the end

One perfect move

One selfless pass

One moment born from countless tasks

The net gave way

The crowd arose

The thunder rolled through friend and foe

The victory belongs to those

Who rule themselves before the blows

And therefore earned a greater name

Than those who merely play the game

The whistle blew

The contest done

Three Lions' work had been won

Victory now was the score

Lifting gold evermore

But greatest triumph, clear to see

Was quiet self mastery.

For trophies tarnish

And crowds grow still

Time itself outlasts all the skill.

But those who govern both heart and mind

Leave fear and doubt far behind

So walk the Lion's ancient road

Carry calmly every load

Meet each trial firm and true

Let discipline be the strength in you

For fortune favors not the loud,

Nor always crowns the largest crowd.

She often walks beside the one

Whose hardest battle has been won

Not on the pitch beneath the lights

But deep within, through sleepless nights

And when the final whistle sings

And victory lifts its golden wings

The truest roar will still be heard

A soul made strong. A soul assured.