Gary Lineker has leapt to Jude Bellingham's defence after England's victory over Panama, accusing sections of the media of unfairly turning on the Real Madrid star.
Bellingham once again proved England's match-winner as Thomas Tuchel's side secured a 2-0 victory to finish top of their World Cup group.
The midfielder broke the deadlock early in the second half before producing a superb cross for Harry Kane, whose header made him England's leading goalscorer at World Cup finals.
Despite another influential display, Lineker believes Bellingham has been subjected to unnecessary criticism over his confidence and personality.
Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, the former England striker questioned why the 22-year-old's mentality had become a talking point.
"I found it odd that some parts of the media almost turned on him, that he's too big for his boots," Lineker said.
"Maybe it's an English thing, we don't like people who are overly confident.
"But to win a tournament you need your big players to handle the pressure. It's not arrogance, it is confidence.
Gary Lineker has leapt to Jude Bellingham's defence after England's victory over Panama, accusing sections of the media of unfairly turning on the Real Madrid star
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"He is a born winner and a born leader. I don't want to be rude to Morgan Rogers, but how was this ever a debate?
"You need someone with strong mentality as much as ability.
"He is a mentality monster, a moments player. He's one of the best players in the world."
Bellingham has now scored eight goals for England, with five of those coming at major tournaments, underlining his ability to deliver on the biggest stage.
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Match stats from England's 2-0 win over Panama at the World Cup | GETTY/GB NEWSThe midfielder has previously admitted he sometimes feels like a "scapegoat" when England underperform, while Tuchel apologised earlier this year after revealing his mother had once described Bellingham's behaviour as "repulsive".
Former England captain Alan Shearer also hailed Bellingham following another decisive display against Panama.
"He has been England's best player in the three games," Shearer said.
"There are moments where you look to your big hitters to do something that changes the course of the game. He did that with the first goal.
"The strength, the ability and the balance – that is what changed the game.
"You need your big hitters to make the difference."
Bellingham admitted he was disappointed to be substituted during the closing stages but accepted Tuchel's decision to manage the workload of key players ahead of the knockout rounds.
"It is completely normal after the long seasons everyone has had," Bellingham said.
Jude Bellingham now has five goals for England at major tournaments following his effort against Panama
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"Dec [Declan Rice] didn't play, he has just been into the Champions League final, he played every game so it is normal we are going to be tired and we have to look after each other.
"For me it is tough going off at the end, but it is the call the manager makes to protect our legs."
The Real Madrid star also acknowledged the responsibility he feels to inspire England when matches become difficult.
"I felt in the second half we were all a bit sharper and clinical in what we were doing," he said.
"That has an effect on me and for me there is a responsibility to get the team going to another level, another level of intensity more than anything.
"But I think all the lads were ready to go after half-time, we realised we had a couple more gears to go after a so-so start in the first half and in the second half we showed that."