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Jude Bellingham has the potential to become one of the greatest players in football history, according to iconic former midfielder and television pundit Roy Keane.
The 21-year-old, who was awarded England Men's Player of the Year 2025–26, netted once and provided three assists in England's emphatic 7–0 demolition of Croatia in the UEFA Nations League on Saturday.
A cornerstone of manager Thomas Tuchel's setup, Bellingham was among the most impressive performers at the 2026 World Cup, netting seven goals as England claimed third place. He has carried that international momentum into the Nations League, now boasting 13 goal contributions across his last 11 appearances.
On the club front, the Real Madrid star has hit the ground running in 2026–27, registering three goals and two assists in seven games while serving as the primary No. 10 in new boss José Mourinho's tactical framework.
'One of the Greatest of All Time'—Keane Heaps Praise on Bellingham
ITV analyst and former Manchester United skipper Roy Keane—a pundit rarely known for handing out compliments—was among those left thoroughly impressed by Bellingham's display in Rijeka, a performance that helped inflict Croatia's heaviest-ever defeat.
"There's still so much more to come from [Bellingham]," Keane remarked. "Bellingham can go on to become one of the greatest players of all time.
"His attitude for England lately... I've been praising him for being outstanding in possession, but what he's doing out of possession, that lifts every single one of these players.
"When you have a player of that calibre in your side—someone who is exceptional in possession, playing for Real Madrid and producing brilliant things—but his work rate off the ball will inspire everyone around him."
Bellingham's England colleague Bukayo Saka was equally glowing in his assessment, telling reporters after the final whistle: "He [Bellingham] was amazing tonight to be fair. He deserved player of the year and he probably deserves man of the match tonight as well. He was special. Happy to play with him and happy to have him in the England team."
Bellingham Matches 33-Year-Old England Feat
Jude Bellingham is playing his own game. pic.twitter.com/QYajplqsbm
Thanks to his goal and hat-trick of assists against Croatia, Bellingham became the first England player since 1993 to record four goal involvements in a single international fixture.
The last player to accomplish the feat was David Platt in 1993, during a World Cup qualifier against San Marino—who were ranked 122nd by FIFA at the time, as noted by Opta.
England famously fell behind in that match when Davide Gualtieri shocked the visitors within the opening minute. The Three Lions recovered emphatically to win 7–1, with Platt contributing four assists.
This week's victory over Croatia carries far greater weight for England and Bellingham, with the 7–0 scoreline representing the Three Lions' largest winning margin against a top-50 ranked nation since 1992.
England takes on Czechia in its final fixture of the September-October international window on Tuesday, with Bellingham seemingly hungry to add to his growing collection of records.