JUDE BELLINGHAM was hailed as a "class act" for his gesture to Slovenia's Timi Max Elsnik.
Bellingham started in England's midfield for the final group stage match of Euro 2024.
But he struggled throughout the 90 minutes as Gareth Southgate's Three Lions were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw.
Still, England topped the group while Slovenia also progressed to the last 16 despite their third-place finish.
Elsnik - whose had loans with Swindon, Mansfield and Northampton while signed to Derby - has been key to Slovenia's success.
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The midfielder joined talkSPORT to discuss his nation's progression into the knockout stages.
And he revealed how classy Bellingham went out of his way to fulfil a promise made at half-time.
Elsnik said: "I asked him for the shirt and I actually asked him at half-time and we agreed at the end of the game in the tunnel.
"Then obviously we went to celebrate with the fans and one of my team-mates he went to him and took it off him.
"I went, 'OK, he's got the Bellingham shirt now, I'm not going to get it.'
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"And then in the interview area I waited for Stones and yeah John gave me his shirt so I actually swapped with John Stones.
"And then one of our analytics when we were up in the stands with our families, he came to me and said, 'I have a shirt for you, you agreed with a player.'
"I said, 'With who?' And he said, 'It's Jude Bellingham's shirt.' So he remembered that he promised me.
"I was really surprised, I thought the moment was gone and he had given it to someone else.
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"Class act from him that he didn't forget... obviously it's going to be a massive piece in my collection."
Bellingham scored England's winner in their opening game of the Euros - though he has had a dip in form since.
But Elsnik said: "It's not easy for him, the season he's had and the star he has become.
"One of the top footballers in the world he's gonna get judged on every touch, every pass that he makes.
"He's going to have bad games like everybody else but the consistency through the whole season that's what you have to base him on.
"Maybe he's going to be the key man in the knockout stages and be the hero for England in the end."
