Bellingham surpasses Casillas as Champions League landmark arrives

Jude Bellingham has overtaken Iker Casillas to become the youngest player to make 60 appearances in the Champions League.

The Real Madrid midfielder reached the milestone at the age of 23 years and 128 days during Wednesday’s league-phase match against AEK Athens at the Aya Sofia Stadium.

Bellingham was named in the starting line-up by Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho, operating in midfield alongside Portugal team-mate Bernardo Silva and France international Eduardo Camavinga.

According to Spanish newspaper AS, Bellingham’s latest appearance moved him beyond former Real Madrid goalkeeper Casillas, who had been 23 years and 167 days old when he played his 60th Champions League match.

The difference between the two players’ records is 39 days.

It is the second time Bellingham has broken one of Casillas’ age records in the competition. In November last year, he became the youngest player to reach 50 Champions League appearances, doing so at 22 years and 128 days.

Bellingham began his Champions League career with former club Borussia Dortmund in October 2020, when he was only 17.

He has now played 60 matches in the competition, including 23 for Borussia Dortmund and 37 for Real Madrid. Across those appearances, he has scored 16 goals and provided 14 assists.

The England international has continued to establish himself as a key member of Real Madrid’s midfield while adding another significant milestone to his European career.

The fixtures information accompanying the report lists Valencia’s La Liga match on 07 November 2026 and Real Madrid’s meeting with AEK Athens in the Greek Super League schedule on 08 November 2026. Levadiakos are also listed as Valencia’s opponents in the latter fixture information.