Football’s best bromance: Bellingham and Haaland break the mould

He said: “I cook dinner… It’s going to be a little embarrassing for her that I say this, but she likes video games.

“We play Minecraft together, we build houses and all that. Or we go back home to Bryne and order kebabs.”

Bellingham is widely reported to be going out with US model Ashlyn Castro. He has not talked about the relationship – but his close ties to his family are well-known.

“Looking back, I think if I had a dad that didn’t play football, I probably would never have got into football really, because there was nothing there for me that motivated me to play at the start,” he told the England Football website, external.

“And then I have my mum who has taught me more about life outside football, but it merges quite well. And even some of the stuff that my mum has taught me, I do take it on to the pitch, about staying calm, staying cool, being a good example to my team-mates and trying to lead and stuff like that. I think a lot of that comes from my mum because she’s a very good leader.”

In a world of questionable online content and polarising opinions, the two players’ friendship is a welcome respite for many.

Navarra added: “I wouldn’t overstate it and say one football bromance fixes toxic social media but it is a positive counter-programming.

“It gives fans rivalry without hatred – which increasingly certainly feels like a novelty online I think.”

No matter what happens on Saturday night, it appears nothing will be able to crush the friendship between these two players.