England midfielder Jude Bellingham unintentionally set the internet alight during their World Cup qualifier against Albania in Tirana.
The Real Madrid star traded shirts with Albania’s Kristjan Asllani at half-time, a move that left fans both bewildered and amused.
Fans Question the Timing
Television cameras captured the exchange clearly as both teams headed off the pitch.
Supporters immediately questioned why such a ritual, traditionally done after the final whistle, had taken place mid-match.
Social media erupted with reactions, ranging from shock to playful ridicule.
One fan wrote, “Bellingham swapping shirts at half-time???? WTF do it at full time!” Another added, “What was Jude Bellingham doing swapping shirts at half time? It’s a competitive international football match!!!”
The Meme Machine Kicks In
Unsurprisingly, the unusual timing quickly inspired a wave of memes.
One post featured Nottingham Forest manager Sean Dyche with the caption “utter woke nonsense,” while another showed a classic Roy Keane scowl accompanied by the words, “Bellingham swapping shirts at HT…”
Others took a lighter approach. One user quipped, “Bellingham and an Albanian player swapping shirts at half time in a qualifier… at least wait for full time,” while another shared a screenshot of the exchange asking, “Don’t you normally swap shirts at full time?”
England’s Night on the Pitch
Despite the social media frenzy, England’s visit to Albania was largely routine.
The Three Lions arrived in Tirana already atop Group F and secured a perfect record in the qualifying campaign.
Meanwhile, Albania had recently sealed their play-off place after defeating Andorra, making the fixture a formality for both sides.
Bellingham Back in the Starting XI
Bellingham returned to the starting lineup for England’s final group fixture after beginning the previous match against Serbia on the bench.
While his shirt swap might have stolen the headlines online, his focus remained on contributing to England’s flawless campaign.
A Humorous Footnote
In the end, the half-time shirt exchange became one of those quirky football moments fans love to dissect.
Whether it’s considered an odd faux pas or simply harmless fun, Bellingham has certainly given social media something to talk about — at least until the next game.
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