Scott McTominay and Jude Bellingham played decisive roles in crunch European games this past weekend, highlighting the current depth of British footballing talent.
And it got me to thinking, who have been the most successful British footballing exports of all time? Below is a carefully curated list that only considers exploits in the European arena (sorry MLS enthusiasts).
10. Scott McTominay (Napoli)
Yes, Scott McTominay has done enough to edge his way onto the list. Lest we forget, the Scottish midfielder had become a figure of ridicule at times during his stay at United, roasted for his misfiring relationship with fellow United struggler Fred (the duo were sarcastically lauded as McFred). But McTominay found a new lease of life at Napoli last season, transforming into a Lampard-esque figure under the passionate guidance of Antonio Conte. He was the MVP in Napoli’s league-winning campaign and seems to be following suit this season, netting a Champions League brace last week before scoring a wonderful half-volley to help shore up victory against Inter. Possibly the most improved player in Europe these past 18 months.
9. David Beckham (Real Madrid, AC Milan and PSG)
Probably the most famous English footballer of all time, David Beckham had to be on this list. This is more of a ‘vibes’ pick, as Beckham’s time as a Galactico coincided with one of the least fruitful periods in Real’s recent history. He won just two trophies in his four-year stint at the Bernabéu (the 2002 Supercopa and the 2006/2007 La Liga crown). Still, his move felt like a watershed moment, making it fashionable to ply your trade outside of the UK (Michael Owen and Jonathan Woodgate joined Madrid soon after Beckham). I don’t think we would have nearly as many offshore success stories today if Beckham had worked through his differences with Fergie. His true pioneering came in the MLS, where his mere presence revolutionized the league. He came back to Europe for brief spells at AC Milan and PSG, picking up a sneaky Ligue A crown in the process.
8. Gary Linekar (FC Barcelona)
Known now for the dulcet tones he brings to the commentary box, former striker Gary Linekar was one of the most gifted English footballers of his generation. After winning the 1986 World Cup Golden Boot, Linekar became one of the hottest commodities in world football. Barcelona came calling, nabbing Linekar from Everton. Linekar enjoyed real success at the Nou Camp, winning the Copa del Rey in 1987-88 before claiming the European Cup Winners Cup in 88-89, playing an integral role in the Barcelona side that laid the foundation for the Cruyff era that followed. But his chief claim to fame was the hat-trick he netted in El Clasico in his first season.
7. Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund, Real Madrid)
England midfielder Jude Bellingham feels like a perfect symbol of the modern British footballer: physical, technically gifted and just a little cocky. The former Birmingham City youth prospect played just one season for the Blues’ first team before starting his continental odyssey at Borussia Dortmund. He rose to prominence in Germany, claiminng the German Cup before winning Bundesliga Player of the Season for the 2022/2023 campaign. His talent was undeniable, and it wasn’t long until Real came knocking, making Bellingham just the 6th Englishman to join Los Blancos in the professional era. He went to the stratosphere in his first season in Madrid, leading their La Liga goal-scoring charts and claiming La Liga Player of the Season. His performances helped propel Real to La Liga and Champions League glory, cementing Bellingham’s status as one of the most talented midfielders in world football.
6. Chris Waddle (Marseille)
Chris Waddle and Marseille went together like wine and cheese. Waddle joined Marseille in 1989, moving from cash-strapped Spurs for £4.5m (then the 3rd highest transfer fee ever paid). The enigmatic attacking midfielder dazzled in his playmaking role, guiding Olympique Marseille to three successive titles from 1991-1993 (they also finished runner-up in the 1991 European Cup). The Marseille fans responded to Waddle’s mercurial genius, voting him their 2nd greatest player of the 20th century (just behind club legend Jean-Pierre Papin). His je ne sais quoi just vibed perfectly with the demands of French football.
5. John Charles (Juventus)
One of two Welshman on this list, John Charles is almost certainly the least recognizable entry. He was a true trailblazer, becoming the first Brit to move abroad when he joined Juventus in 1957. The towering striker found his niche in Italy, scoring 28 goals in his first season to help guide Juve to the Scudetto (he was named Italian player of the year). Known by the locals as ‘Il Buon Gigante’ (the gentle giant), Charles could play up front and in defence. Charles would win two more Serie A titles and two Coppa Italia’s in his successful stint in Turn (he would also briefly play for Roma in the latter stages of his career).
4. Steve McManaman (Real Madrid)
Steve McManaman was one of the core members of the so-called ‘Spice-boys’, a set of highly talented Liverpool players who continually underdelivered (the footballing embodiment of style over substance). He left to Real Madrid on a free in 1999 and found the elusive substance, winning two Champions League titles, two La Ligas, one UEFA Supercup, one Intercontinental Cup and one Spanish Cup (all in just four seasons). Primarily utilized as a right-winger in his Liverpool days- back in the prehistoric era where right-footed players played on the right wing- McManaman showed tactical flexibility at Real, covering a whole host of midfield positions. He soon became an indispensable part of their side, scoring a sensational volley in Real’s 3-0 Champions League final win over Valencia in 2000.
3. Kevin Keegan (Hamburg)
So much of the public perception of Kevin Keegan hinges on the way his Newcastle United side capitulated in that 1995/1996 season, when Keegan was left slumped like a jilted prom-date in the dugout. Sometimes you can forget what an immense talent he was on the field. The former Liverpool legend became Germany’s highest-paid player when he moved to Hamburg in 1977. He enjoyed a turbulent start to life in Germany, handed an eight-week ban for punching an opponent in a friendly. But he soon became Hamburg’s talisman, winning European Player of the Year- now known as the Ballon d’Or- in back-to-back seasons. He led Hamburg to the promised land, securing their first title in 19 years during the 78/79 campaign. Affectionately known as ‘Machtig Maus’ (Mighty Mouse) by Hamburg fans, Keegan’s time at Hamburg ended in heartbreak, as the German outfit lost to Nottingham Forest in the 1980 European Cup final.
2. Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)
I gave very serious thought to placing Kane at the top of this list. But recency bias is a real thing and Kane still only has one trophy to his name at Bayern (though it appears that he is set to potentially add a bucketload this campaign). England’s leading international marksman has been nothing short of mesmeric since moving from Spurs to Bayern, scoring a mind-boggling 105 goals in 108 games. He became the fastest player to reach 100 goals at a club in Europe’s top five leagues, getting to that mark in 104 matches. He won the European Golden Shoe in his first season before powering Die Roten to last year’s title. We thought that the goal-scoring exploits of CR7 and Lio Messi were extraterrestrial phenomena that we would never witness again. Kane- alongside the likes of Mbappe and Haaland- is helping to redefine goal-scoring possibilities for generations to come.
1. Gareth Bale (Real Madrid)
With him making so many celebrity golfing appearances these days, it’s easy to forget that Gareth Bale is probably the most successful British footballing export of all time. The buccaneering Welshman left Spurs for Real Madrid in 2013 (for a then world-record £85). He became an integral part of Real’s all-conquering dynasty, winning the European Cup five times (only Pace Gento, with 6, has won more European Cups). He scored three goals in European Cup finals, including that career-defining bicycle kick against Liverpool back in 2018. He also won three La Liga titles, four Club World Cups, three UEFA Super Cups, one Copa del Rey and three Spanish Super Cups. Bale scored 106 goals and made 57 assists in 258 appearances for the Spanish giants. Often lurking in CR7 ‘s considerable shadow, Bale’s career could be the most underrated in European history. He never ingratiated himself to certain pockets of the Madrid fandom, as he was reluctant to speak Spanish in public and was too fond of the golf course in the latter years of his stay.
