The meaning behind Jude Bellingham's goal celebration revealed - and how it could propel England onto Euros glory

The England men's football team have revealed their love of a card game of deception called Werewolf to help them bond as they go for glory at Euro 2024.

Jude Bellingham marked his crucial goal against Serbia in last night's 1-0 victory with a reference to the game as he celebrated with Trent Alexander-Arnold.

The teammates dropped to one knee after 20-year-old Bellingham's header in Gelsenkirchen, and while facing each other covered their face with one hand.

Wolf - or Werewolf as it is officially known - was also part of the England camp at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, and they are thought to have been playing it for years.

The popular challenge requiring deceit and strategic thinking is based on a game of roleplay and deduction called Mafia which was developed by Russian creator Dimitry Davidoff in 1986, and a spin-off version is linked to hit BBC show The Traitors.

It sets a small informed group called the 'wolves' against the uninformed majority known as the 'villagers'. Each group tries to deceive the other in order to win.

Speaking to the BBC as he collected his player of the match award, Bellingham said: 'When we play Wolf, one of the staff loves that face when he doesn't have a clue what is going on so that was a little group celebration for the Wolf crew.'

At the press conference after the game, he added: 'It was more of a celebration for the backroom staff who put in so much work every day, and they won't receive any awards like this or have the moments we get to have on the pitch.

'But we value them so much and it is important going through the tournament we keep that atmosphere.'

It is believed that the celebration was for England photographer Eddie Keogh.

Alexander-Arnold was also asked about Werewolf, telling the BBC: 'Difficult to describe it … you can't look and you have to find out who's telling lies, who's not.

'So it's a game of how well you know each other's little tells. I found a picture of us playing back in maybe October, November. I showed it to Jude and we said, look we're going to have to do it.

'Obviously he has his iconic celebration, but we said if one of us score it's only right that we do it. I'm not sure how big it's gotten, and how much coverage, but we enjoy playing it and it's a good one for team bonding too.'

Former England goalkeeper Joe Hart later revealed that the team have been playing the game since he was in the squad, which dates it back to at least 2017.

Speaking on the BBC's Football Daily podcast, Hart said: 'I know the game. So you have villagers, you have... there's all different characters. And then usually two people will be a wolf in a group, everyone's covering their eyes, and then questions and accusations are being thrown, and it's almost a bluff.'

He said the game came into the squad 'a long time ago because I was there', adding that he cannot remember who brought it in but believes it might have been players from Leicester City.

Hart continued: 'It's just a big blag, and it can get really spicy because you kind of have to stand your ground. 

'In a group situation, someone new, who think someone is a wolf, if Jude Bellingham is the wolf and - I don't know - Conor Gallagher thinks it's him, he's got to put himself on the line and go at him.'

BBC presenter Kelly Cates said the revelation could mean 'this is going to be the summer of wolf' - comparing it to England's Bukayo Saka 'jumping into the pool on his inflatable unicorn' at the St George's Park training base during Euro 2020. 

As it happens, a famous photo of this moment was taken by Mr Keogh - for whom the 'Wolf' celebration was done.

Cates continued: 'We've heard all these stories about England camps where it's been a bit unsettled, or where players have been a bit isolated and they've been locking themselves away and playing on their own consoles and that kind of thing.

'There is something quite wholesome about an actual, tangible board game that the players are all getting involved in. I know it's a bit of a cliched thing to say, but it is quite a bonding experience with them.'

Her colleague John Murray added: 'We've got it at home. I love being the wolf.'

Other England players have previously spoken about playing Werewolf, including Harry Kane who talked about it back at the Qatar World Cup in December 2022.

Kane said at the time: 'There are about 16 or 17 of us who play Wolf and it is a great way to kill some time. It also helps with team bonding.

'When they put that wolf card in, you have to start lying and it is not easy, so I think I am a better villager than I am a wolf.

'There are definitely a few who are better than me at deceiving people.'

Declan Rice added: 'It's about being the best liar. The villagers have got to sniff out the wolves and the wolves have got to lie and tell everyone they are not a wolf. There is a lot of teamwork, ganging up.'

Bellingham's powerful early header put dominant England in control, but Serbia stepped up after the break and Gareth Southgate's side were made to sweat as they saw out a 1-0 win.

Yesterday's man of the match starred as England won a fourth straight tournament opener, showing strength, skill and confidence against physical opponents.

Speaking about his goal, Bellingham said: 'It's obviously really special to score any time for England, especially a match-winning goal and a goal that gives us points and can contribute to us hopefully having a good tournament.'

The win put England top of Group C after Denmark and Slovenia earlier played out a 1-1 draw.

England's next game is against Denmark this Thursday at 5pm in Frankfurt, before the group stage comes to a close against Slovenia on June 25 at 8pm.