GELSENKIRCHEN, Germany (AP) — As one of the most exciting soccer players in the world, Jude Bellingham's wonder goal against Slovakia on Sunday was what many have come to expect from the England star.
His decision to mark the moment by referring to a speech by former U.S. president Theodore Roosevelt, however, seemed a less likely move from someone who only celebrated his 21st birthday on Saturday.
Bellingham's overhead kick in the fifth minute of stoppage time rescued England after it had trailed Slovakia 1-0 in the round of 16 at the European Championship. It sent the game into extra time and Harry Kane sealed a 2-1 win, meaning England will play Switzerland in the quarterfinals on Saturday.
Bellingham later posted part of a speech by Roosevelt on his Instagram channel, likely in response to the fierce criticism the England team has received at Euro 2024.
The excerpt of the speech, commonly known as “The Man in the Arena” begins with the statement “It is not the critic who counts” and goes on to say “The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena.”
It has often been cited as an inspiration by top U.S. athletes, including Tom Brady and LeBron James — who has said he writes “Man in the Arena” on his shoes before every game — but is less well known in Britain.
England's players have been booed by fans during the Euros because of the team's unconvincing performances in Germany. Former national team captain and now BBC presenter Gary Lineker used an expletive on his podcast when delivering stinging criticism of one of the performances.
Playing for “England is an enjoyable feeling, but it’s also a lot of pressure here,” Bellingham said. “People talk a lot of rubbish and you know it’s nice, when you deliver, you can give them a little bit back.
“Football and being on the pitch, scoring a goal and celebrating is a release and it was maybe a message to a few people.”
The full speech by Roosevelt, which was entitled “Citizenship in a Republic,” was given at the Sorbonne in Paris in 1910.
“So people talk a lot and I think you do have to take it personally a little bit,” Bellingham said. “We we come in and we train every day so hard to try and put on performances for the fans, and sometimes it doesn’t go well, and sometimes it feels like there’s a there’s a bit of a pile on and it’s not nice to hear, but you can always use it.”
James Robson is at https://twitter.com/jamesalanrobson
AP Euro 2024: https://apnews.com/hub/euro-2024
England's Jude Bellingham celebrates at the end of the round of sixteen match between England and Slovakia at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, Sunday, June 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager was out of the lineup for the second straight game Tuesday night since getting hit by a pitch on his left wrist.
Manager Bruce Bochy said Seager took some swings before the series opener at home against San Diego, and was doing better since getting hit Saturday night. The shortstop went to the ground before getting up and walking off the field after getting struck on a check swing in Baltimore.
Initial X-rays revealed no broken bone, and that was confirmed by an MRI on Monday after the Rangers got home from the trip.
While the Rangers hope to get Seager back soon, third baseman Josh Jung hasn't swung a bat since his last rehabilitation game June 20. He is coming back from a fractured right wrist that occurred when he was hit by a pitch in the fourth game of the season on April 1. He had surgery the next day.
Jung has been dealing with inflammation and soreness in the tendon of his wrist after 17 at-bats in four rehab games.
“Just trying to get this thing to calm down. That’s really all we’re doing,” Jung said Tuesday in the Rangers clubhouse.
Outfielder Evan Carter, who has missed 31 games with a lumbar sprain, has been taking some swings at the team's complex in Arizona, and Bochy said he should be facing live pitching within a few days. Carter is still considered a rookie even after his debut at the end of last season and his standout play through the playoffs as the Rangers won the World Series.
Right-hander Tyler Mahle was making his first rehab start Tuesday night for Double-A Frisco, about 13 1/2 months after he had Tommy John surgery in May 2023. The Rangers signed him to a $22 million, two-year contract during the winter, knowing he would be out for much of this season. If all goes well, he could join the team in early August.
Jung was voted by fans as the American League starter in last year's All-Star Game when he was a rookie. He said he is trying to keep his legs fresh and in shape. He does some stuff in the batting cage trying to see pitches and can go through some fielding work without throwing the ball.
“Not a whole lot baseball activity-wise,” he said. “I try to do everything I can to stay as ready as I can. ... I'm not really able to do a whole lot right night, so just do everything I can to stay ready in my mind.”
Bochy said Jung had a significant injury, and the manager expressed that he's “not surprised there’s been a hiccup or two along the way.”
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB
Texas Rangers' Corey Seager (5) walks off the field after being hit by a pitch thrown by Baltimore Orioles pitcher Cade Povich during the fifth inning of a baseball game as manager Bruce Bochy, left, looks on, Saturday, June 29, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Texas Rangers' Corey Seager sits on the ground after being hit by a pitch thrown by Baltimore Orioles pitcher Cade Povich during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, June 29, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
