England star Bellingham references Roosevelt’s ‘Man in the Arena’ speech after Euro 2024 wonder goal

As one of the most exciting football players in the world, Jude Bellingham’s wonder goal against Slovakia on Sunday was what many expected from the England star.

His decision to mark the occasion by referencing a speech by former US President Theodore Roosevelt, however, seems less likely coming from someone who only celebrated his 21st birthday on Saturday.

Bellingham’s acrobatic return in the fifth minute of added time saved England, trailing 1-0 by Slovakia in the round of 16 of the European Championship. He sent the match into extra time and Harry Kane sealed the 2-1 victory, meaning England will face Switzerland in the quarter-finals on Saturday.

Bellingham later posted part of a speech by Roosevelt on his Instagram channel, likely in response to the harsh criticism England’s Euro 2024 team has received.

The excerpt from the speech, commonly referred to as “The Man in the Arena,” begins with the statement, “It is not the criticism that counts,” and goes on to say, “The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena.”

He has often been cited as an inspiration by America’s top athletes, including Tom Brady and LeBron James – who has been reported to write “Man in the Arena” on his shoes before every game – but is less well known in Britain. booed by supporters during the Euro due to the team’s unconvincing performance in Germany. Former national team captain and now BBC presenter Gary Lineker used an expletive on his podcast while delivering scathing criticism of one of the performances.

“Playing for England is a great feeling, but there is also a lot of pressure here,” Bellingham said. “People talk a lot of nonsense and you know it’s nice, when you show some sense you can give them a little back.

“Football and being on the pitch, scoring a goal and celebrating is liberating and maybe that was a message for a few people.”

Roosevelt’s full speech, “Citizenship in a Republic,” was delivered at the Sorbonne in Paris in 1910.

“People talk a lot and I think you have to take it personally,” Bellingham said. “We come and train so hard every day to try to put on a good performance for the fans, and sometimes it doesn’t go well, and sometimes it feels like there’s a little bit of pressure and it’s not nice to hear, but you can always use it.”