Bellingham reveals James Bond ambition as he dreams of life after football

Jude Bellingham has set his sights on a rather different kind of licence to thrill, telling James Corden on Fox’s World Cup After Hours that his dream post-football career would be playing James Bond.

The Real Madrid and England midfielder, 23, said acting is the profession that appeals to him most once his playing days are over — and he went straight to the top of the casting wishlist. “I’d love to be in a movie,” Bellingham said. “People always ask me, ‘What’s the thing I’d want to do out of football?’ — and I never really give it that much thought, but when I have I always come to ‘I’d love to be in a film’.”

Bellingham confirmed he has watched the entire Bond back catalogue, from Sean Connery through to Roger Moore and beyond. “I love James Bond. I swear, I’d love to be in the back of a James Bond film. James Bond himself, but you’ve got to crawl before you can walk. They haven’t found a new Bond yet, have they?” He then delivered the franchise’s most famous line — “The name’s Bond, James Bond” — before adding: “I think I’ve got a shot!”

The role has been vacant since Daniel Craig’s final appearance in No Time to Die in 2021, with no replacement yet announced.

The admission came after Bellingham scored the opening goal in England’s World Cup group-stage win over Panama in New York. England face DR Congo in the round of 32 in Atlanta on Wednesday, with a potential round-of-16 tie in Mexico City to follow if they progress — possibly against co-hosts Mexico.

With Thomas Tuchel’s side harbouring genuine ambitions of ending 60 years of hurt, Bellingham’s focus remains firmly on the tournament for now. The Bond audition, it seems, can wait.