England midfielder Jude Bellingham surpasses Cristiano Ronaldo and Michael Owen to set incredible record

England star Jude Bellingham became the youngest player to appear at three major international tournaments, surpassing legends like Michael Owen and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Just weeks on from winning the UEFA Champions League with Real Madrid, Bellingham announced his arrival at EURO 2024 by netting the winner for England against Serbia in Gelsenkirchen.

The 20-year-old latched on to a deflected cross from Bukayo Saka and headed in after 13 minutes, which eventually proved enough for the Three Lions to take all three points.

Besides the goal, Bellingham also added a feather to his cap with his appearance at the Veltins Arena in Gilsenkirchen. At 20 years and 353 days, he became the youngest player to appear in three major international tournaments, surpassing the previous record by Owen (22 years and 170 days), followed by Ronaldo (23 years and 123 days).

The former Borussia Dortmund star played his first international tournament with England at Euro 2020 in 2021, where he made three appearances off the bench as the Three Lions reached the final.

By the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Jude Bellingham was a starter, playing all five games, contributing a goal and an assist as Gareth Southgate's side lost 2-1 to France in the quarterfinals.

Meanwhile, with his goals against Iran in the World Cup and Serbia at the Euros, Jude Bellingham becomes the first player to score at both tournaments while plying his club football outside England.

Moreover, he's just the fifth player - after Bobby Charlton, Alan Shearer, Gary Linekar and Bryan Robson - to net the opening goal for England in two different competitions.

He will be next be in action on Thursday (June 20) when England take on Denmark for their second group game at the Deutsche Bank Park in Frankfurt.

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Jude Bellingham to play a key role for England

Coming off a stunning first season with Real Madrid, Jude Bellingham is widely touted to play an integral role for England at UEFA EURO 2024.

Having struck 23 times and made 13 assists across competitions throughout the 2023-24 campaign, it was hardly surprising to see him get on the scoresheet yesterday.

It could be the start of things to come from him, with the Three Lions looking to ease the painful memories of their Euro 2020 final loss on home turf to Italy on penalties by going all the way in Germany.

With players like Harry Kane and Phil Foden coming off prolific individual seasons for Bayern Munich and Manchester City respectively, also in the mix, England have a wealth of attacking options. But Bellingham could steal the show.