Sports · 11 July 2026
Bellingham and Haaland's friendship offers a refreshing break from football's online negativity
YantsImages (Wikimedia, CC BY-SA 4.0) | Bryan Berlin (Wikimedia, CC-BY-SA-4.0)
England's Jude Bellingham and Norway's Erling Haaland's close friendship has captured attention online, especially during the World Cup. Their camaraderie, which started when they played for Borussia Dortmund, offers a positive contrast to the more hostile parts of social media. The two young players are seen as authentic and affectionate, challenging typical displays of masculinity in football.
Reported by BBC · How we write briefs