New Delhi: England and Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham has been seen as one of the world’s most exciting young stars ever since he left boyhood club Birmingham City to join German giants Borussia Dortmund at the tender age of 17. The England International has since taken his game to another level, joining Real Madrid in a mega money move in 2023, and helping the club win a league and Champions League double in his first season with the club while also bagging a podium finish at the 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony.
Now the 20-year-old has added yet another milestone to his already remarkable career, surpassing Manchester United and England legend Wayne Rooney to become the country’s most-capped player aged 21 or under. The Real Madrid midfielder earned his 41st cap in England’s 2-0 win over Albania, surpassing Rooney’s record of 40 caps before turning 22. It’s another testament to Bellingham’s rapid rise, solidifying his place as a key figure in Sir Gareth Southgate’s squad and now, under new head coach Thomas Tuchel.
Despite his youth, Bellingham has long played with the confidence and authority of a seasoned professional. His leadership on the pitch, technical brilliance, and ability to rise to the occasion have drawn comparisons to England greats. His impact at Borussia Dortmund and now at Real Madrid has been nothing short of extraordinary, and he continues to carry that form onto the international stage.
41 – Jude Bellingham is making his 41st appearance for England, overtaking Wayne Rooney’s record (40) for most games for the senior side while aged 21 or younger. Baton. pic.twitter.com/wBVzvIiFlL
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 21, 2025
In spite of being just 20 years old, Bellingham was one of the more experienced players in Tuchel’s first England XI. Only Arsenal’s teenage sensation Myles Lewis-Skelly was younger, further emphasizing Bellingham’s early arrival at the top level. Much like Rooney in his early days, Bellingham exudes a confidence beyond his years, with his international experience already making him a leader in the squad.
Rooney’s record stood for nearly two decades, with his sensational performances at Euro 2004 putting the world on notice. England’s then-teenage sensation scored four goals in that tournament, earning comparisons to Brazilian legend Pelé. While injuries curtailed his involvement in the knockout stages, Rooney’s early career remains one of the most electrifying in English football history.
Two decades later, Bellingham has followed a different path but achieved similar recognition. Unlike Rooney, who was a forward, Bellingham operates as a dynamic midfielder, combining technical skill with tenacity. His performances at Euro 2024, where he played a crucial role in England’s run to the final, highlighted his ability to dictate play on the grandest stage for his country, after he had already proven it for his club.
Thomas Tuchel victorious on England debut
Bellingham’s record-breaking moment coincided with Thomas Tuchel’s first match in charge of England. The German coach, appointed after Sir Gareth Southgate stepped down following UEFA Euro 2024, handed Bellingham a central role in his tactical setup against Albania. It was a match that saw England dominate from start to finish, with the new manager looking to implement his vision ahead of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Tuchel is well versed with the English game and some of the stars of the national squad, given the German manager’s successful spell in charge of Chelsea between January 2021 and May 2022, guiding them to the UEFA Champions League as well as other trophies. After being announced as the head coach of the English National Team towards the end of last year, Tuchel had plenty of time to gear up for his debut and he gave chances to quite a few young players in the game.
Just the beginning. pic.twitter.com/CZgypxKQ33
— England (@England) March 21, 2025
His first England starting XI saw him hand starts to Arsenal youngster Myles Lewis Skelly, Newcastle United’s Dan Burn, Liverpool’s Curtis Jones, and Aston Villa’s on loan forward Marcus Rashford, while it also marked the return of Chelsea captain Reece James to the national team set up as he took the field from the bench. These are all names that we’re not used to seeing in the England jersey recently and this was an indication of the German manager offering a clean slate to everyone in the initial part of his tenure.
Tuchel’s first game ended in a comfortable 2-0 win as goals Lewis-Skelly and Harry Kane on either side of half-time ensured an easy debut win for the German. While it wasn’t the most resounding and complete displays by his squad, it was enough to earn them the win they wanted. It’s still early days for the manager in his first job as a head coach of any national team and the game against Albania laid the foundations of what’s to come in the future.
Jude Bellingham created history as England beat Albania 2-0 in their opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in what was Thomas Tuchel’s first match as England head coach. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
