Outspoken British journalist Piers Morgan has caused more backlash this week with his controversial Lionel Messi claim ahead of England’s clash with Argentina on Wednesday night. The Three Lions are through to the semi-finals of the World Cup for just the fourth time in their history after a 2-1 win over Norway this weekend.

But they will need to beat a side inside the top four of the FIFA World Rankings in a major international tournament for the first time if they are to realise their potential to end a 60-year trophy drought. In Atlanta, Georgia, this week, Thomas Tuchel’s side faces their toughest challenge yet against the reigning champions, with the winner facing either Spain or France in the final.

As has been the case on many occasions this summer, weather disruptions are expected for the match. But what may be a bigger threat for England is the weight of expectation after years of near-misses under Gareth Southgate, and Morgan’s latest comments certainly won’t help muffle the optimism that grips those at home.

Piers Morgan Makes Huge Lionel Messi-Jude Bellingham Claim

Indeed, Morgan – who has long been one of Cristiano Ronaldo’s biggest supporters, especially through the intense criticism the former Manchester United forward has faced this summer – has clearly got carried away with his hopes of England bringing football home this week. Posting to X, he wrote (see the full post below):

While Jude Bellingham has been in imperious form this summer, nobody comes close to the brilliance of Messi as he supercharges his nation’s plea for a second successive World Cup win after going three decades without. That’s reflected by the uproar Piers’ social media post caused, as one X user remarked: “I pity those who still take you seriously.”

Another user added: “Bellingham has been outstanding, but writing off Messi before kickoff has never aged well for anyone,” as a third wrote: “This guy is stuck in his own bubble.” Elsewhere, another concluded: “I would call him a clown, but at least clowns are funny. This is just pathetic!”

Nothing Should Take Away From Bellingham’s Heroism

Jude Bellingham celebrates via REUTERS/Paul Childs

Based on statistical performance, Bellingham still ranks as the fourth-best player at this year’s World Cup. That’s come going for a midfielder that was being mooted to drop to the bench in favour of the in-form Morgan Rogers before the tournament started.

No player in his position has come even remotely close to matching his tally of six goals, with his efforts often coming in England’s hours of need. While a poor season at Real Madrid shifted the spotlight away from him, the label of ‘best midfielder in the world’ has been put firmly back on him.

Messi’s eight goals and two assists in six matches still reigns superior. But that should not take away from the job Bellingham has done to get his nation dreaming of glory once again.

Damning footage has gone viral on social media of Conor McGregor just four days before his UFC 329 fight with Max Holloway, which ended in just over a minute after the former suffered a serious knee injury.

The bout opened up with a trademark flashy kick from McGregor, only this time he had a rough landing, with his knee not able to take any pressure. He struggled to stay on his feet thereafter, and the constant falling allowed Holloway to take control and rain down shots.

The fight was eventually stopped, with the main talking points centring around the injury. How serious is it? How did it happen? And most importantly, was McGregor injured prior? This new footage from before the fight suggests something may have been up.

Conor McGregor’s Behaviour Before Fight Was Odd

Mark J. Rebilas via Imagn Images

For many, even before McGregor stepped into the Octagon, something was off. His demeanour on the cage-walk was very different, and perhaps less confident than in years gone by. There have also been questions over when he took his shoes off to get into the Octagon.

Although it was his left foot, he didn’t seem steady. Doctor Brian Sutterer also picked up on this awkward moment, saying: “This absolutely to me looks like somebody who was dealing with something on that right knee, and didn’t want to put their weight down on it to brace and catch their fall.”

However, fuel has only been added to the fire after this new footage.

Conor McGregor Days Before UFC 329

McGregor is seen walking into Newport Medical Plaza in California, just days before the fight. Kramer Orthopaedics and Dr. Warren Kramer, who is a noted athletic knee specialist, were both inside the building, which further adds to the controversy.

We may never know what really happened, as there are so many conflicting viewpoints. It could have happened in training, but the McGregor camp seems set on the story that it was a result of the kick that was almost immediately thrown.

Following the fight, plenty of people have had their say on what happened, and whether or not McGregor was injured before stepping into the Octagon.

What’s Been Said After UFC 329 About Conor McGregor’s Injury

Mark J. Rebilas via Imagn Images

McGregor almost immediately took to social media to squash the rumours, though, saying: “I had no injury / injuries going into the fight. I was throwing kicks, planted and jumping, all throughout camp as well as backstage before the fight.”

Similarly, coach Jon Kavanagh also mirrored these words in his own post following the fight.

Furthermore, UFC president Dana White has also been quick to cast aside any idea of McGregor being injured, as he said: “Just on my accounts, the face-off that day is at 80m views, if there was a pre-existing injury, somebody would’ve noticed it.”

White also thought McGregor couldn’t have been injured as he ran up to Holloway before the face-off.

Even in the fight, if he was injured, leaping into a jumping kick is a fairly questionable way to begin proceedings.

There will certainly be more information to come over the next few days, as the mystery over the injury continues to dominate all the news following UFC 329.

The star of the show for England as they beat Norway 2-1 to make the semi-finals of the 2026 World Cup was very much Jude Bellingham. However, there are now fears of a possible injury ahead of the Three Lions’ next round meeting with Argentina.

The Real Madrid midfielder scored twice as Thomas Tuchel’s men came from behind to beat Norway in the quarters. Bellingham showed quality and composure as he ran through on goal to level the scores in injury time of the first-half (albeit in controversial fashion after the ball appeared to hit a TV wire). He then popped up with the winner in extra-time, finishing from close range after Morgan Rogers’ shot was parried into danger.

Bellingham has scored six goals in total this summer, and will be key if England can go all the way. It will concern fans then to learn that he may have an injury ahead of the semi-final vs Argentina.

Bellingham Will Be Key vs Argentina – if Fit

England’s Jude Bellingham celebrates scoring vs Norway via Reuters/Sam Navarro

Argentina are the reigning world champions having won in 2022, and will be desperate to make their second successive final. Lionel Messi’s side have looked somewhat unconving at times this summer, but there is also an air of inevabitly about the team.

They were two goals down against Egypt in the Last 16 before pulling off a spectacular and controversial comeback to win the game 3-2. Lionel Scaloni’s men then struggled to get across the line against 10-man Switzerland but eventually blew them away to win 3-1 in extra time.

While all the English focus will be on how to stop Messi, their opponents will have certainly identified Bellingham as a big problem to contend with themselves. The midfielder has now scored two goals in each of the last two knockout games, while also bagging twice in the group stages against Croatia and Panama.

Piers Morgan has summed up a certain confidence in the player from some sections of the English fanbase, remarking: “All this fearful talk of ‘how will England stop Messi’ is ludicrous. The much more pertinent question is how will Argentina stop Bellingham? He’s the real superstar of this World Cup.”

However, England could be without their key man against Argentina.

Bellingham’s Shoulder Injury Could Lead to World Cup Problems

In footage shared by Spanish outlet Diario AS, Bellingham was seen struggling with a shoulder injury in the aftermath of the win against Norway. Another photo also appears to show him holding his upper arm during the game while in conversation with Tuchel.

In light of the images, TyC Sports have reported that the 23-year-old is being closely monitored by the Three Lions’ medical staff ahead of the tie with Argentina. On top of that, it has been alleged that he could be forced to wear a bandage as he battles for a place in the World Cup final.

Other reports claim that Bellingham picked up the problem in a collision with a Norwegian defender. He was also spotted speaking with England physio Steve Kemp during a cooling break and remained in discomfort for the rest of the win against Norway.

It will not help that, Bellingham has had shoulder issues before, and needed surgery to solve the problems which ruled him out for the start of the 2025/26 season. After that procedure, he said: “I’ve reached the point where the pain isn’t so bad. I was fed up with playing in a sling.

“I’m losing a lot of weight from sweating so much. I’ve been waiting a while and my patience is running out, but the physios and doctors have been incredible and I want to feel free.”

That injury forced him to play through 18 months of pain, having initially dislocated his shoulder during a La Liga match against Rayo Vallecano.