Roy Keane does not hand out compliments. So when the famously hard-to-please pundit said Jude Bellingham could become one of the greatest players of all time, England fans did a double take. Keane made the call on ITV after England’s 7-0 demolition of Croatia in the Nations League on October 3, and the debate has not stopped since.
A Night Bellingham Ran the Show
Bellingham finished in Rijeka with one goal and three assists. He fed Harry Kane for the opener in the eighth minute, then scored himself in the 21st minute after Anthony Gordon’s clever work. Before half-time he set up Bukayo Saka for England’s fourth. Croatia, ranked 14th in the world, suffered the heaviest defeat in their history.
Bellingham was not alone. Kane and Saka each scored twice, Gordon scored and assisted, and substitute Morgan Rogers capped the rout late on. Kane also moved within one cap of Peter Shilton’s England record, scoring for the third straight game this window.
What Keane Actually Said
Keane did not hold back. “Bellingham can go on to become one of the greatest players of all time,” he said, adding that there is still a lot more to come. What won him over was not only the goal and assists but the work without the ball. He called Bellingham a huge leader for England and said that energy lifts everyone around him.
From Cocky to Colossus
The reaction is even better when you remember the history. During Euro 2024, Keane warned a 21-year-old Bellingham about his celebration and labelled him cocky. More than two years later, the same man is placing him in the conversation with football’s immortals. Even ITV presenter Mark Pougatch looked taken aback by the size of the claim, though he agreed with it.
The Case for Greatness
Is it too early to talk about greatness? Critics will say yes, but the evidence is building. Bellingham is only 23 and was named England’s men’s player of the year for 2025-26. Ian Wright said he keeps driving forward and going again and again, while Saka said Bellingham deserved man of the match.
England also hunted in packs whenever they lost the ball, something Keane loved, and Thomas Tuchel called the display a complete performance from start to finish. Sky’s Rob Dorsett went further, saying there is no better team in world football to watch when England play like this.
What Happens Next
England host Czechia on October 6, then welcome Croatia on November 12 before travelling to world champions Spain on November 15. At club level, Bellingham’s Real Madrid face Barcelona in El Clásico on October 25. If Keane is right, the best is still to come.
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