Some of England’s brightest teenage stars from past years as Mainoo becomes latest youngster to make Three Lions squad | OneFootball

Kobbie Mainoo is the latest teenager to be given a chance to shine in an England shirt, after the Manchester United midfielder was called up for the squad to face Brazil and Belgium.

The 18-year-old is an exciting prospect, and may yet become the next star to make his name as a teenager, as some of England’s greats have done in the past.

From 1934, when a 19-year-old Stanley Matthews began one of the greatest careers England has ever known, to a 17-year-old Jude Bellingham in 2020, getting into the England side can be the launchpad to success – or a road to nowhere.

We look at some of the best England teenagers who burst onto the scene as teenagers

Michael Owen – 89 caps, 40 goals

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Michael Owen lit up the 1998 World Cup when he scored an amazing goal for England. After making his debut in February 1998 against Chile, he was selected for the 1998 World Cup by manager Glenn Hoddle, and scored his first goal in a pre-tournament friendly against Morocco. At the 98’ World Cup, Owen scored two goals including a wonderful solo goal against Argentina. His pace and energy was electric and he was an instant hit with the England fans.

Wayne Rooney – 120 caps, 53 goals

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A teenage success story, Wayne Rooney is England’s second highest goalscorer in history and had a very good career playing for the Three Lions. He earned his first cap in a friendly defeat against Australia in February 2003. Rooney was 17.. On 6 September of that year,he became the youngest player to score for England, equalising in a 2–1 away victory against Macedonia in a Euro 2004 qualifying match. He went on to shine at Euro 2004, scoring four goals. He was the all time record goal scorer for England until he was overtaken by Harry Kane. Rooney was often criticised for his performances in major tournaments post 2004. He was sent off in Germany 2006 against Portugal and hit back at fans after a goalless draw with Algeria in 2010. He will still go down as one of England’s great strikers.

Theo Walcott – 47 caps, 8 goals

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Theo Walcott was 17 years old and yet to play a Premier League match for Arsenal when he was called up to the England squad for the 2006 World Cup. He did not play in that tournament having made his England debut, as the country’s youngest ever player in the May before the finals, in South Africa. Walcott scored an incredible hat-trick in September 2008 against Croatia, the youngest teenager to score a competitive hat-trick since Owen in 2001. After a promising start, Walcott never lived up to the hype in an England shirt.

Marcus Rashford – 59 caps, 17 goals (still playing)

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After lighting up the Premier League with Manchester United in 2016, Marcus Rashford was drafted into the England squad ahead of Euro 2016. He made his debut against Australia on May 27th 2016 and scored within three minutes at the Stadium of Light. He went on to help England reach the semi-finals of the World Cup in 2018, scoring an important penalty in the shoot-out win against Colombia. Missing a penalty in the Euro 2020 final in a shoot-out, Rashford responded by scoring a brace against Wales in the 2022 World Cup.

Dele Alli – 37 caps, 3 goals

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Rising through the ranks from MK Dons in League One to Spurs in the Premier League, Dele Alli was called up to England’s senior squad. He scored a screamer at Wembley against France in 2015. Alli was integrated into the England squad for Euro 2016, and scored in a World Cup quarter-final against Sweden in 2018. Alli’s form dipped and has had seldom opportunities in an England shirt since. It feels like he may have missed the boat, after such an exciting start in an England shirt.

John Barnes – 79 caps, 11 goals

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England failed to qualify for the Euros in 1984, so instead, England went to South America for a summer tour. After making his debut in 1983, John Barnes grabbed people’s attention with a magnificent solo goal in the Maracana against Brazil in June 1984. An instant star, his solo run took him past five Brazilian players, before rounding the keeper and scoring. Barnes made six World Cup appearances, and three at the Euros caps too, but failed to score on the biggest stage. That goal against Brazil lives long in the memory, but Barnes was ultiumately better known for his club exploits at Liverpool.

Jimmy Greaves – 57 caps, 44 goals

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On 17 May 1959, Jimmy Greaves made his England debut against Peru. Despite losing 4-1, Greaves scored a debut goal. He went on to score another 43 times for his country, with the majority of them coming in friendlies. He scored his only World Cup goal in the 1962 tournament against Argentina. Four years later, he was part of the squad that won the World Cup in 66’, playing all the group games before being benched for the knockout phase. Greaves is regarded as one of the all-time England greats.

Jack Wilshere – 34 caps, 2 goals

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Jack Wilshere made his England debut at the age of 18, in 2011. Wilshere’s career was hampered by injury, and he accumulated just 34 caps for England. A player with so much promise was always held back due to being on the treatment table. Five of his caps came in major tournaments, and his only two goals came in a European Championships qualifier, scoring a marvellous brace in a 3-2 win against Slovenia. Wilshere retired from football in 2022, and never got to fulfil his potential for the Three Lions.

Jude Bellingham – 27 caps, 2 goals

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One of the brightest young players at the moment, Jude Bellingham is taking the world by storm. Having made his debut at 17 in November 2020, Bellingham has gone on to play 27 times for his country, and played and scored at a World Cup at the age of 19. He scored in England’s 6-2 win against Iran in Qatar, and is a player most England fans hope will drive the country towards success. Bellingham is one of the first names of the team sheet, and has the world at his feet. Experienced at a Champions League, Bundesliga, La Liga and international level, Bellingham has all the makings to be an England great.

Stanley Matthews – 54 caps, 11 goals

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Stanley Matthews made his England debut at the age of 19 in 1934. He scored on his first start in a 4-0 win against Wales. Despite traveling to both the 1950 and 1954 World Cups, Matthews made just three appearances across the two tournaments, but assisted one goal against Belgium. All of his eleven England goals came in International friendlies, however he became the oldest player to represent England, at the age of 42, spending 23 years playing for his country. He is widely regarded as a legend of English football, and one of the great England international players.