After beating Norway 2-1 in extra time of the World Cup quarterfinals on Saturday, the crowd of England fans at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami began serenading their young star, Jude Bellingham, with a rendition of Hey Jude by The Beatles. Icons Memorabilia CEO Dan Jamieson happened to be in the building for that post-match moment, which he called “brilliant,” and it wasn’t just because he’s a Liverpool native and passionate fan of the Three Lions.
Icons signed an exclusive partnership with Bellingham before the World Cup started, a bit of a gamble at the time considering it was unclear what role he would play on this squad. Yet the 23-year-old midfielder has been a catalyst behind England’s impressive run at the tournament, scoring six goals in six matches.
In truth, Icons stands to benefit regardless of what happens when England faces Argentina in the semifinals on Wednesday. The company also has a long-standing deal with Lionel Messi, who Jamieson said is the most consequential driver of the company’s business, a fact that was very much on display when it reached new heights after the global star raised the trophy at the 2022 World Cup.
The 39-year-old Messi’s age-defying run at this tournament, which includes eight goals and counting, has put Icons in a position to match, if not exceed, its sales from Qatar. However, Bellingham offers the company a chance to extend its lucrative run—as well as a new star to share the load as Messi eventually rides off into the sunset.
