Jude Bellingham was battered, bruised and bullied against Brazil… stop England’s star by any means necessary is the aim of the game – and it’s something he will need to get used to, writes SAMI MOKBEL

The letter ‘B’ stands for Bellingham. It also stands for battered, bruised and bullied.

All four went hand-in-hand here at Wembley on Saturday night as Brazil went ruthlessly about stopping English football’s pin-up boy.

Kicked from pillar to post, Brazil’s strategy was clear. Rough him up. Torment him. Kick him.

Stop Jude Bellingham by absolutely any means necessary.

Given the astonishing season he is having at Real Madrid, it’s probably the only way to stop him.

Brazil’s strategy of stopping the England midfielder by any means possible was clear to see

Lucas Paqueta took a chunk out of him. So did Bruno Guimaraes. They weren’t the only ones.

Bellingham should take it as a compliment, although his body may not take it quite so well when he wakes up on Sunday morning.

Of course, it is something he’ll simply need to get used to. It comes with the territory of being an elite attacking footballer.

Ask Kylian Mbappe. Ask Lionel Messi. Ask Cristiano Ronaldo.

Closer to home, it’s something Bukayo Saka has had to acclimatise to, much to the annoyance of Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.

But what Saka has done well is that he has learned not to bite. Don’t be fooled by Saka’s cool exterior, the treatment he receives eats at him.

But he makes his aggressors pay the ultimate price, without resorting to anything more sinister, with his brilliance on the pitch.

Goals and assists. That’s where Saka’s true value is. The same goes for Bellingham.

It is something he will have to get used to, just like his international team-mate Bukayo Saka (pictured)

The 20-year-old’s true value lies in goals and assists and that’s how he can get his revenge

There is no doubting Bellingham can stand-up to such roughhouse treatment. Even at 20-years-old, he’s physically imposing.

Tall in stature and athletic, he can mix it if necessary. Indeed an early challenge through the back of Guimaraes that Bellingham was booked for illustrated that he isn’t one to be pushed around.

That’s a trait in Bellingham’s all-round game that sets him apart. Yes, the technical ability is exceptional – but there’s a physical edge to his game that has contributed to his emergence as a generational talent.

Wayne Rooney was the same. Bursting with ability, but with an inherent fighting spirit.

But there were times when Rooney failed to temper his emotions, something that cost England and Manchester United.

Retaliation and retribution is tempting – but often costly.

Bellingham is the most exciting English talent since Wayne Rooney and needs to be sure to temper his emotions when targeted

Brazil’s treatment of Bellingham on Saturday night is likely a sign of things to come. What’s important is that he somehow controls any urge to seek revenge through any means other than his footballing excellence.

Because if England are to win the European Championships this summer then their prodigious midfielder will be front and centre of their tilt at glory.

Already a hero in the eyes of supporters cries of ‘Juuuuuuuuude’ boomed round Wembley just before kick-off.

‘Belligoal’ was posted on England’s official X account earlier in the day accompanied by a short video of their superstar No 10 cheekily scoring in training at St George’s Park last week.

Not since Rooney burst onto the scene in the 2000s has there been this level of delirium about a young English footballer.

He, alongside captain Harry Kane (right) will be key to England’s hopes at the European Championships this summer

When England travel to Germany this summer it will be this prodigiously talented 20-year-old – and captain Harry Kane – who’ll carry the nations hopes.

The reality of, of course, is that it’ll take more than Bellingham and Kane for England to end 58 years of hurt.

Southgate warned as much on Friday. But who does the England head coach think he is kidding?

Immortality awaits England. It awaits Bellingham too, although the way his career is progressing there’s every chance he attains immortal status regardless of how England fare later this year.

Deployed in a No 10 role, Bellingham showed flashes of the brilliance that has seen him take Real Madrid by storm this season against Brazil.

It was clear Southgate had relieved Bellingham of the defence duties he’d usually perform so diligently in his more generic role as a box-to-box midfielder.

Whether Bellingham takes up a similar advanced role in Germany remains to be seen. It will also likely depend on the opposition.

The temptation to play Bellingham in a more advanced role is clear given his success for Real Madrid this season

The temptation to play Bellingham deeper into the attacking third is clear – 20 goals in 31 appearances for Real this season speaks for itself.

Yet here against Brazil, you sensed he’d be more useful in a deeper midfield role where he’d see more of the ball.

Southgate has three months to work all that out. But wherever he plays, Bellingham will be central to England’s aspirations this summer.