Explained: Why Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham has ‘X-factor’ of David Beckham & Wayne Rooney & can be compared with peak Michael Owen

The England international midfielder – who has claimed the prestigious Golden Boy award for 2023 - has become a global superstar at just 20 years of age, with a stunning impact made on the back of his €103 million (£90m/$112m) transfer to Real Madrid. Bellingham has hit 13 goals for the Blancos through just 14 appearances.

He is benefiting from working alongside world-class talent for club and country, with Heskey – who also represented Birmingham and England in his playing days – telling the Yorkshire Post of why Bellingham is following in the footsteps of modern day legends: “You know you can rely on them, and that’s the key thing. When Michael was on the pitch you knew you could rely on him; when Becks was on the pitch you knew you could rely on him, same with Wayne. He’s definitely got that X-factor and he’s showing it at Real Madrid. Not many go to Real Madrid and immediately take it by storm like he has the biggest team in the world. He’s got it all to take it to the next level.”

Heskey added on how Bellingham’s impact at senior level can be compared to that of ex-Liverpool and Real Madrid striker Owen – who burst onto the scene when still in his teens: “I see everything in him, not just the qualities on the pitch but off it as well. Jude is similar to Michael. Michael was very grown-up, very mature for his age, even at 18. When everyone was wanting to do other stuff, he was focused on football, knew what he wanted to achieve and what he needed to do. You look at Jude and he’s exactly the same. You look who he’s hanging around with and it’s the senior pros because he wants to soak up as much information as possible to take into the next level. Whereas others are around their peers and what you’re getting from that is not much that’s going to take you to that next level. Jude has done fantastic so far and hats off to him because it’s not easy moving from Birmingham to Germany and taking it by storm at Dortmund as he did. I’ve seen so many players come to England at a young age and it’s the mental side of it, not the football, being away from home affects you. And he’s coped with that so well.”

Bellingham has been nursing a shoulder injury of late, preventing him from linking up with England for Euro 2024 qualification duty, but he could return to action when Real take in a Liga trip to Cadiz on November 26.