Ian Wright made a powerful speech in defence of Jude Bellingham and claimed the England star's recent criticism is heavily rooted in racism
12:05, 20 Nov 2025Updated 13:54, 20 Nov 2025
Ian Wright has launched a passionate defence of Jude Bellingham and claimed England 'aren't ready for a black superstar'. In a powerful and moving speech, Wright insisted that the intense criticism Bellingham has faced in some sections of the media stems from the fact that he is an 'outspoken black man'.
Bellingham, 22, made headlines this week after he was accused of responding angrily to being subbed during England's 2-0 victory over Albania, having been recalled for England's November fixtures. Thomas Tuchel stopped short of criticising the England star but insisted that 'behaviour is key' and that he'd address it with him in private.
The incident, which led to some backlash for Bellingham, came after reports claimed his personality had been causing tension in the England dressing room following his omission from the squad during the October international break. Bellingham, who has performed admirably for Real Madrid again this season, is often the subject of intense scrutiny, having established himself as one of the world's best players in recent times and has found himself under the spotlight again in the past few days.
However, former England striker Wright, 62, has jumped to Bellingham's defence and claimed that the criticism is heavily rooted in racism. When asked by Gary Neville if Bellingham is being targeted because he is black rather than his actual performances, an emotional Wright said on The Overlap: "I had to do something for GQ not long ago, and I said as an Englishman, I'm an Englishman, I can't hide from that. Even though when I was younger, people would say 'you're not really English', yeah, I'm English.
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"I'll put it in football terms. They all love N'Golo Kante. He's a humble black man, gets on with what he's doing. Not saying that he's an Uncle Tom or anything, that's just how his personality is.
"But if you get a [Paul] Pogba, or a Bellingham, and you get that kind of energy, that does not sit well with the people. That kind of person. So someone like Jude, for some reason, frightens these people because of his capability and the inspiration he can give.
"It's something that you're taught as a black man when you're going out there, you just want to do the best you can and keep your head down. And be, for want of a better term, a humble f****** slave.
"This is dragging up from that kind of energy. Because if you are outspoken, black, and playing to that kind of level and not caring, that frightens certain people.
"That's what's happening with Jude. This guy is obsessed with him. He's moving off that type of energy. He can't see a black man doing what Jude is doing and not think that it's not uppity. That he's not an uppity n*****. I'm going with that. That's what that comes down to."
In the conversation, ex-England coach Neville recalled a chat he had with Raheem Sterling in 2016, revealing that the Chelsea star felt he was being unfairly targeted by the media around the time of the Euros due to the colour of his skin. “He felt as though he was being persecuted, that it was unfair, and it was basically not related to football,” Neville said.
Wright, who had hit out at the media just days ago for 'creating beef' with Bellingham, then added: "I sent a message to Jude saying 'listen my friend, be ready' [before England's recent internationals]. Something was coming, I could feel it.
"I said 'just be ready'. The thing is, of course it's private, but he said 'ready for what?'. I said 'listen, it's coming and I'm here. I'm going to be here and I'm going to make sure that I'm going to be on this side.'
"Because what happens is it comes, and it just keeps coming. It's like a tsunami. Unless you play well and do something, that just shifts it for a little while, because as soon you play again and don't play well, it comes back.
"He said 'what's coming', and I just told him 'be ready for it', and it's here."
Bellingham, who has brushed off recent criticism and snubs to make his return under Tuchel, playing in the 2-0 wins over Serbia and Albania, has proved somewhat divisive with England, as his ego and big personality often attract criticism.
He was called out by the England boss for "repulsive" behaviour in the summer - a comment Tuchel later backtracked on.
The 22-year-old, however, remains a key player for the national side and already has 46 appearances for England since his first cap in 2020, scoring six goals. He starred for the Three Lions at last summer's European Championship in Germany, netting a crucial goal in the last 16 against Slovakia and helping Gareth Southgate's side reach the final in Berlin.
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