Max Dowman breaks Jude Bellingham’s England U21 record in historic debut

Arsenal teenager Max Dowman made history on Friday night after becoming the youngest player to represent England’s Under-21 team.

The 16-year-old made his debut as a second-half substitute in a 1-0 friendly defeat to Portugal at Ashton Gate, breaking a record previously held by Jude Bellingham.

According to talkSPORT⁠, Dowman was 16 years, 10 months and 13 days old when he made his first appearance, surpassing Bellingham’s previous record of 17 years, two months and six days, set against Kosovo in September 2020.

The Arsenal youngster has already established himself as a record-breaker at club and international level, having become England’s youngest player and goalscorer at Under-17 and Under-19 level.

He is also Arsenal’s youngest starter and goalscorer, as well as the club’s youngest Champions League player. Dowman could make his first start against France on Monday as Lee Carsley’s side continue their international campaign.