Bellingham 'very proud' of 50-cap England record

Jude Bellingham has revealed his pride at winning his 50th cap for England and setting a new record as the youngest Three Lions player to hit a half-century.

The Real Madrid midfielder was named in Thomas Tuchel’s starting XI for the FIFA World Cup 2026 group game with Ghana, which finished 0-0 in Boston on Tuesday evening.

Bellingham played 73 minutes and was named FIFA’s Superior Player of the Match on his 50th cap as he surpassed a record held by Wayne Rooney.

The former England and Manchester United striker managed the milestone at 23 years and 159 days old, but Bellingham is still six days away from his 23rd birthday.

Speaking after being handed a special shirt with ‘50th cap’ printed inside the collar after the game, Bellingham said: “Fifty caps... Shame it didn’t end with a win or a goal or something like that, but very proud of 50 games for my country.

“I’m the youngest to do it as well so a massive honour.”

He joins Rooney, Bukayo Saka, Michael Owen and Raheem Sterling as the only England players to earn 50 caps before their 25th birthday. Saka’s 50th cap came against Croatia last week.

Youngest men's players to reach 50 caps

Jude Bellingham age v Ghana: 22 years, 359 days
Wayne Rooney: 23 years, 159 days
Michael Owen: 23 years 179 days
Raheem Sterling: 24 years 180 days
Bukayo Saka: 24 years, 285 days
Marcus Rashford: 25 years 34 days
Declan Rice: 25 years 72 days
Ashley Cole: 25 years 187 days
Bobby Moore: 25 years 218 days
Ray Wilkins: 25 years 284 days
Alan Ball: 26 years 3 days
Steven Gerrard: 26 years 99 days

Asked about Ghana players requesting his special shirt at full-time, Bellingham added: “There’s a couple of lads who have asked and I’ve told them that I haven’t got any more left.

“I gave my other one so I’ve got to try and protect this one [with 50 caps printed inside] because it’s an important one.”

Bellingham’s latest records come less than a week after he became the youngest European player in history to feature at four major men's tournaments (World Cups and EUROs).

The former Borussia Dortmund midfielder hit the landmark when he started England’s 4-2 opening win against Croatia, beating the record set by Germany's Jamal Musiala who had featured in their World Cup clash with Curaçao.

Youngest European players to play in four major tournaments

Jude Bellingham (England): 22y 353d
Jamal Musiala (Germany): 23y 108d
Pedri (Spain): 23y 202d
Jérémy Doku (Belgium): 24y 19d
Michael Owen (England): 24y 182d
Lukas Podolski (Germany): 25y 9d