Wayne Rooney reveals surprise at lack of Jude Bellingham apology
Wayne Rooney was taken aback after missing out on an apology from Jude Bellingham as an opponent in what he feels is testament to the Real Madrid and England star’s mindset.
It has been a remarkable rise for the attacking midfielder, who has quickly become one of the biggest names in world football.
Although he is just 21, Bellingham is already a key player for England and Real Madrid, enjoying a trophy-laden start to his time with the La Liga giants following his move from Borussia Dortmund in 2023.
He wasn’t enjoying himself so much at the Emirates as a Delan Rice-inspired Arsenal produced a stunning performance to record a 3-0 victory.
Before that though, the start of his career had seen him come up against another footballing icon in the form of Rooney, as he was coming towards the end of his own playing days.
Wayne Rooney recalls Jude Bellingham encounter
Bellingham of course, began his senior career while he was still a teenager playing for Birmingham City in the Championship.
That meant that right from the start of his time as a player, he quickly found himself facing a Man United and England legend in the form of Rooney, who ended his playing career with Derby County.
As the two clubs went head to head at that point, Rooney was left startled by the ruthless nature of the midfielder even as such a young player.
| Jude Bellingham key stats for Birmingham City | Total (as per Transfermarkt) |
| Appearances | 44 |
| Goals | 4 |
| Assists | 2 |
| Yellow Cards | 7 |
| Red Cards | 0 |
Because of that impact, the Man United record goalscorer was left in no doubt that the midfielder would go on to enjoy the sort of success in football, that he already has.
Speaking about playing against Bellingham while working as a pundit on Amazon Prime‘s coverage of Real Madrid‘s defeat at Arsenal in the quarter finals of the Champions League, Rooney said (7:23pm):
“Yeah I played him for Derby County, we played against Birmingham City and Jude man-marked me and I think he was 16 years of age.
“I was really impressed not because of his ability, just getting close to me, kicking me and you’d think for a 16-year-old they’d apologise and stuff but no he just walked away and looked at you! So I think from then I though he’s got a real chance of being a top player.”
Wayne Rooney proved right with early Jude Bellingham prediction
Football Insider Verdict
It is fair to say that Rooney’s early inclination that Bellingham would go on to be a top level performer has proven to be very much correct.
At 21-years-old he is still at the very early stages of his career, and yet he is already one of the most important players for one of the biggest teams in the world.
With the midfielder seemingly only going from strength to strength, it is exciting to consider exactly where he might go in his career.
Indeed, during what has been a difficult managerial career for Rooney to date, he will no doubt have regretted that he was unable to move for the midfielder given his rapid rise.
That ruthless streak appears not to have left the 21-year-old either, with Bellingham showing as much during his recent appearances for England.
Managing that may therefore now be one of the next big priorities for the midfielder as he looks to go to the very top of the world game.