When England beat Croatia 7-0 away from home, headlines are guaranteed. But when one player orchestrates the carnage with a display consisting of a goal and three assists, the footballing world stops to take notice.

Jude Bellingham’s masterclass against Croatia in the UEFA Nations League was arguably the finest individual performance of his young career.

It prompted former Manchester United hardman Roy Keane to offer a breathtaking assessment live on ITV Sport: "Bellingham can go on to be one of the greatest players of all time. At this moment in time, he is an amazing footballer. 

"The package, his running power, his delivery, his goal threat. The way he is progressing as a player, I still think there is a lot more to come from him."

At just 23, the Real Madrid talisman is already a superstar. But does he genuinely have what it takes to step into the pantheon of football immortality alongside the likes of Pele, Cristiano Ronaldo, Maradona, and Messi?

What Made Jude Bellingham’s Croatia Performance So Complete?

To appreciate why Keane’s words carry weight, you only have to look at the statistical wreckage left behind in Rijeka. Bellingham commanded the entire pitch.

Touching the ball 108 times, completing eight key passes, executing nine progressive carries, and winning over half of his duels, Bellingham put on a clinic.

It was reminiscent of a prime Luka Modric—ironically, the 41-year-old Croatian legend whom Bellingham outran and outclassed before he was substituted in the 57th minute.

Under Thomas Tuchel, Bellingham is finding terrifying new levels of influence. With 8 goals in his last 11 appearances for the Three Lions—compared to just 6 in his first 48—his knack for arriving in the box and dictating the tempo has evolved exponentially.

"If you stand still, it’s like being on an electric escalator," Tuchel remarked after the match. "You have to develop and push for the next level. We adjusted some things, gave the players responsibility, and they are a group to be trusted."

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What Jude Bellingham’s 2023/24 Real Madrid Season Tells Us About His Potential

To understand why a ceiling of all-time greatness is well within Bellingham's reach, one only has to look back at his jaw-dropping debut campaign at Santiago Bernabeu during the 2023/24 season.

Following his high-profile arrival from Borussia Dortmund, Bellingham hit the ground running in a manner few could have anticipated. 

Operating predominantly in an advanced midfield and unorthodox false-nine role under Carlo Ancelotti, he carried Real Madrid's attacking burden on his shoulders.

He finished his debut Real Madrid season with 23 goals and 13 assists across all competitions, firing Los Blancos to both La Liga and Champions League glory.

During those golden months, he was scoring late winners, executing breathtaking solo runs, and winning matches single-handedly. That specific season showed the level of statistical output Bellingham is capable of producing.

Why Consistency Is the Next Step for Jude Bellingham

While Bellingham's exploits in an England shirt and his unforgettable debut campaign are undeniably Ballon d'Or-caliber, data analytics reveal the exact hurdle he must clear to achieve permanent all-time great status: week-to-week club consistency.

While data from platforms such as SciSports and SofaScore can help illustrate Bellingham’s development, his form at Real Madrid over subsequent seasons experienced a slight plateau compared to that blistering freshman surge. 

Players such as Kylian Mbappe and Harry Kane have set exceptionally high standards for sustained elite-level output.

For Bellingham to enter that exclusive bracket permanently, he must find a way to merge his Tuchel-unlocked international freedom with the relentless, match-winning scoring rate he first displayed in Spain.

What Jude Bellingham Must Do to Build an All-Time Legacy

System Synergy: Maximizing output requires tactical clarity; matching the destructive freedom he enjoys under Tuchel will unlock his full ceiling in club football.

Beyond Possession: As Keane pointed out, it is Bellingham's relentless work rate out of possession that lifts his teammates and separates good players from true leaders.

Channeling the 23/24 Peak: Replicating the decisive goalscoring contributions he produced during his debut Madrid season on a consistent weekly basis will cement his legacy.