England teenager Jude Bellingham received a message of congratulations from Borussia Dortmund teammate Erling Haaland after becoming the youngest ever player at a European Championship.
The midfielder came on late in the second half during the Three Lions’ Euro 2020 opening match win against Croatia on Sunday afternoon, replacing skipper Harry Kane in the closing stages.
Raheem Sterling’s solitary goal secured a 1-0 victory – and some form of revenge for the World Cup semi-final heartache of 2018 – while Bellingham also made history in the process.
The Dortmund starlet’s second-half introduction means, at the age of 17 years and 345 days, he is now the youngest ever player at a Euros, beating the record Holland’s Jetro Willems (18 years and 71 days) set in 2012.
Dortmund teammate Haaland was clearly keeping a close eye on his teammate and was full of praise for the youngster on social media after the game.
Tagging the former Birmingham City midfielder on Twitter, Haaland wrote: ‘Congratulations Jude Bellingham. Top guy, top talent, top player. Well deserved.’
Bellingham replied with a ‘Thank you brother’ to the Norwegian – whose nation did not qualify for the Championships – and it was not the only famous name he received some social media love from.
When he entered the match against Croatia, Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher tweeted ‘Hey Jude’ to which the youngster replied afterwards with a simple ‘Hey Liam’.
Unfortunately for Bellingham, he may not keep hold of his record as the youngest ever player at a European Championship for very long – and he might even lose the title on Monday!
Poland’s Kacper Kozlowski is actually 109 days younger than the England midfielder and would break the record if he makes an appearance.
Although not a regular starter – he only has three caps – Kozlowski might hope to make a cameo appearance against Slovakia in Poland’s opening group match.
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