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Jude Bellingham instantly breaks impressive Wayne Rooney England record
Jude Bellingham has moved ahead of Wayne Rooney in the England record books by earning his latest cap against Albania. With his 41st Three Lions appearance in the World Cup qualifier, live on talkSPORT, the Real Madrid superstar has now played more games for the national team than any other player aged 21 or younger. Bellingham turned 22 years old on June 29Getty This record was previously held by Manchester United great Rooney, who featured 40 times for England between 2003 and 2007. Both players made their international debuts as teenagers, with Rooney’s first outing coming at the tender age of 17 years and 111 days against Australia in 2003. This sees him narrowly edge Bellingham‘s effort of 17 years, 136 days, which came in a win over the Republic of Ireland in 2020. Together, the pair rank second and third respectively among the Three Lions’ youngest-ever senior players, behind Theo Walcott. Rooney went on to earn 120 caps for England, and was for a time the national team’s all-time record goalscorer with 53 goals before being overtaken by Harry Kane in March 2023. Whilst in its early days, Bellingham’s international career has followed a similarly sharp upwards trajectory as the Red Devils legend. In the years since his international bow, the midfielder has arguably established himself as England’s most important player, having been an ever-present at each of their last two major tournaments. After playing a bit-part role in his country’s run to the final of Euro 2020, Bellingham was a mainstay in the team at the 2022 World Cup. He started all five games as Gareth Southgate‘s side were eliminated at the quarter-final stage in Qatar against France. This included a goal in the Three Lions’ tournament opener win over Iran, and an assist against Senegal in the round of 16. Rooney was also a teenage sensation for England, scoring four goals in four games as an 18-year-old at Euro 2004Getty Images - Getty Bellingham came off the bench on 73 minutes to make his England debut against IrelandGetty After a stunning debut season at Real Madrid, Bellingham followed this up by playing every game at Euro 2024 as England fell again at the final hurdle. The 21-year-old’s campaign saw him net twice, including an incredible last-gasp overhead kick equaliser in the last 16 against Slovakia, as well as setting up Cole Palmer’s goal in the final defeat to Spain. And the England hero has continued to make telling contributions since then. With a hat-trick of assists in his last match, a 5-0 victory over Ireland in November, Bellingham has now been involved in 10 goals in his last 15 international appearances. He will be hoping to add to his England tally over the coming days as he looks to make an instant impression under Thomas Tuchel. After his first game in charge of the national team against Albania, the German coach now turns his attention to his side’s second World Cup qualifier against Latvia on Monday. At 21, Bellingham’s England numbers make for impressive reading so far
Jude Bellingham has moved ahead of Wayne Rooney in the England record books by earning his latest cap against Albania.
With his 41st Three Lions appearance in the World Cup qualifier, live on talkSPORT, the Real Madrid superstar has now played more games for the national team than any other player aged 21 or younger.
This record was previously held by Manchester United great Rooney, who featured 40 times for England between 2003 and 2007.
Both players made their international debuts as teenagers, with Rooney’s first outing coming at the tender age of 17 years and 111 days against Australia in 2003.
This sees him narrowly edge Bellingham‘s effort of 17 years, 136 days, which came in a win over the Republic of Ireland in 2020.
Together, the pair rank second and third respectively among the Three Lions’ youngest-ever senior players, behind Theo Walcott.
Rooney went on to earn 120 caps for England, and was for a time the national team’s all-time record goalscorer with 53 goals before being overtaken by Harry Kane in March 2023.
Whilst in its early days, Bellingham’s international career has followed a similarly sharp upwards trajectory as the Red Devils legend.
In the years since his international bow, the midfielder has arguably established himself as England’s most important player, having been an ever-present at each of their last two major tournaments.
After playing a bit-part role in his country’s run to the final of Euro 2020, Bellingham was a mainstay in the team at the 2022 World Cup.
He started all five games as Gareth Southgate‘s side were eliminated at the quarter-final stage in Qatar against France.
This included a goal in the Three Lions’ tournament opener win over Iran, and an assist against Senegal in the round of 16.
After a stunning debut season at Real Madrid, Bellingham followed this up by playing every game at Euro 2024 as England fell again at the final hurdle.
The 21-year-old’s campaign saw him net twice, including an incredible last-gasp overhead kick equaliser in the last 16 against Slovakia, as well as setting up Cole Palmer’s goal in the final defeat to Spain.
And the England hero has continued to make telling contributions since then.
With a hat-trick of assists in his last match, a 5-0 victory over Ireland in November, Bellingham has now been involved in 10 goals in his last 15 international appearances.
He will be hoping to add to his England tally over the coming days as he looks to make an instant impression under Thomas Tuchel.
After his first game in charge of the national team against Albania, the German coach now turns his attention to his side’s second World Cup qualifier against Latvia on Monday.
