Jude Bellingham may be struggling in front of goal this season – but one more strike for England will see him join an exclusive club.
The 21-year-old finally opened his account for Real Madrid in his 13th appearance of the campaign in his side’s 4-0 win over Osasuna last weekend.
Criticism had been aimed at the Three Lions star over his lack of goals, with Bellingham on double figures at this stage last term for Los Blancos.
Though last season he was playing in a more advanced role, with the player having to step up in the absence of the injured Vinicius Jr.
And without a recognised striker in the starting XI, it was Bellingham who his teammates looked towards to get them out of trouble.
Meanwhile this season, Real can rely upon a fully fit Vini Jr, while the arrival of Kylian Mbappe has eased the burden on Bellingham to deliver.
Bellingham himself has struggled with niggles this campaign, but he will be hoping his chipped effort against Osasuna is a sign of things to come.
And the midfielder will now be looking to carry on his momentum in England‘s clashes with Greece and Ireland in their final Nations League clashes.
He had already scored for England in the October international break in the 2-1 defeat to Greece and Wembley.
That strike was his sixth international goal – and fifth since joining Real from Borussia Dortmund in 2023.
And the next goal he scores while contracted to the Spanish giants will see him move level with David Beckham and Michael Owen.
The two England icons share the joint-record of most England goals while playing for Madrid with six each.
Beckham spent four years at the Bernabeu from 2003 to 2007 – making 36 appearances for England during his time in Spain.
As for Owen, he spent the 2004/05 season with Madrid before he returned to England to join Newcastle.
He played 11 times for England while at Real, bringing up his sixth goal on his tenth appearance.
While Bellingham is almost certainly set to not only equal the record, but beat it in the near future, he will not become the quickest to score six times.
He has already featured 14 times for England while at Real, and cannot break Owen’s lightning start.
Bellingham is one of six English players alongside Beckham and Owen that have played for Real Madrid.
Laurie Cunningham was the first to do so, joining the European powerhouse in 1979 from West Brom, before departing five years later to link up with Marseille.
He failed to score from his six appearances for England’s national team – five of which came while at Real.
Steve McManaman followed Cunningham to Madrid in 1999 – lasting four years – where he helped the Spanish side win two LaLiga titles and as many Champions Leagues.
But he scored just once for England from his 12 appearances as a Madrid player.
In the middle of Beckham and Owen’s arrival at Real came centre-back Jonathan Woodgate, who failed to make an impression at the club after joining in 2004.
His poor form led to him being frozen out of England selection, where he failed to feature as a Real Madrid man.
But despite Bellingham’s indifferent form so far this season, he remains a vital player for England.
And one more goal will see him enter the history books, which you can be sure won’t be the last time.
