Bellingham reported to Real Madrid’s Valdebebas training complex on Tuesday, the last of Mourinho’s group to rejoin after the FIFA World Cup 2026. A commercial shoot in London had kept him in England into this week.
His arrival closes an unusual summer. Three weeks earlier, in Miami, Bellingham had scored in the 98th minute to seal England’s 6-4 bronze medal victory over France and lift his tournament tally to seven, a total no England player at any World Cup or European Championship has ever reached.
Seven, and only from open play
Bellingham finished the tournament a goal clear of Harry Kane, who arrived at the France game on six, the same number Gary Lineker managed at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. All seven of Bellingham’s goals came from open play, which also passes Lineker’s mark for the most non-penalty goals by an England player at a single World Cup.
“That means he is the only Three Lions player to score as many as seven goals at a major tournament, including the FIFA World Cup and UEFA EURO finals,” England Football wrote after the bronze final.
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His breakdown across the tournament: one against Croatia in the group stage, one against Panama, a brace against Mexico in the round of 16, another double against Norway in the quarter-finals, and the goal against France.
Bronze in Miami
The bronze final at Hard Rock Stadium was a runaway before it collapsed. Declan Rice put England ahead on three minutes, Ezri Konsa headed in on 18, and Bukayo Saka made it 3-0 on 37 and 4-0 on the stroke of half-time.
France responded through Kylian Mbappé in the 48th and 66th minutes, either side of a Bradley Barcola strike on 54. Saka completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot on 87 minutes before Ousmane Dembélé pulled France level at 90+6. Bellingham scored two minutes later.
It was England’s best men’s World Cup finish since winning the trophy in 1966. Saka’s treble also made him the fourth England player to score a World Cup hat-trick, after Sir Geoff Hurst, Lineker and Kane.
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Thomas Tuchel had made seven changes to the side beaten by Argentina in the semi-final. He was blunt afterwards about how the game had run.
“We had a brilliant first half and a turbulent second,” Tuchel told England Football.
“Massive compliment and full respect to the mentality we showed after going through adversity.”
“To see a team fight like this gives you energy.”
Bellingham posted his own reaction on Instagram.
“This group deserved to finish on this high note. Obviously not what we came for but the highest finish since ’66 is something to build on. Thank you again England fans, this summer has been unforgettable for so many reasons. It’s been a pleasure!” he wrote.
Mourinho’s number 10
Mourinho, in his first pre-season at Real Madrid, has drilled a 4-2-3-1 through the summer friendlies, with the number 10 role earmarked for Bellingham. Arda Güler wore the shirt while the England international was away.
Bellingham is not in contention for the friendly against Deportivo, with the coaching staff building his fitness back before the La Liga campaign begins. The full first-team group is together at Valdebebas for the first time this summer.
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The record was set in July. The Madrid work starts now.
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