Jude Bellingham has been revealed as the cover star for EA Sports FC 25, which is set to be released later this year. 

The Real Madrid and England star has enjoyed a frankly absurd rise in the game over the last 12 months, with him firmly establishing himself as one of the most recognisable names in the sport.

His ascent began with a £113million transfer to the Bernabeu last summer. His club campaign culminated with the LaLiga title and a Champions League winners’ medal at Wembley. 

Bellingham, in his now iconic celebratory pose, will adorn the cover of the EA Sports FC 2025 standard edition. He appears alongside Ballon d’Or Feminin winner Aitana Bonmati, and icons David Beckham, Zinedine Zidane and Gianluigi Buffon, accompanied by 17 of the world’s most coveted football trophies.

‘I played this game with my brother all the time growing up, and I’ve always thought about how incredible it would be to one day be featured on the cover,’ said Bellingham. ‘There have been so many iconic players on the cover over the years, and I am delighted to be the most recent English player to be bestowed with this honour since 2011.

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland featured on the most recent version of the virtual series. 

The last England star to be the central face of the coveted game series was Man United legend, Rooney. 

Bellingham and his England colleagues – with the exception of Cole Palmer – have begun well-earned breaks following their European Championship exploits in Germany. 

The midfielder endured a difficult tournament on a personal level and looked to be struggling with fatigue in the final as Spain dominated the midfield battle in the second half. 

Bellingham, who appeared to share a close and respectful player-coach relationship with Gareth Southgate, seemed to lose it with his boss, according to ESPN’s Mark Ogden.

Footage emerged of Bellingham approaching his manager and shouting at him after Nico Williams missed a chance from the edge of the box after 56 minutes.

Ogden claimed that Bellingham had been urging Southgate to ‘change something’ and, minutes later, Harry Kane was taken off for Ollie Watkins.

In the video, Bellingham can be seen screaming towards the bench as he stalked up the sideline before turning to confront Southgate in passing.

The Three Lions had their silverware dream brought to a crushing end as Spain ran out 2-1 victors in Berlin to claim victory inside 90 minutes.

Kane kept his starting role upfront by Southgate despite underwhelming performances but was hauled off with 30 minutes remaining as Watkins made his introduction.

Bellingham vented his frustration towards the England boss for not making the change earlier as Kane proved ineffective up against Spain’s robust defence that was broken only once as Palmer equalised in the second half.

However, any fears of lingering animosity were dashed just days later with his tribute to Southgate following his resignation after almost eight years as boss.

‘Finally, I’d like to thank Gareth and his staff for the great memories during his tenure,’ he said in a post on social media. ‘From the point of view of a fan who has become a member of the squad, it’s been a rollercoaster of amazing emotions that has instilled hope and joy back into our country.

‘It was a privilege being lead by someone who is so dedicated and passionate, not only is Gareth easily one of the best coaches in the history of the national team but also an unbelievable human being.

‘Thank you for everything and all the best in the next chapter, Gaffer.’

‘It’s time for change, and for a new chapter,’ Southgate wrote in his own emotional statement shared by England, as he thanked the likes of Steve Holland, his players and England fans for their support.

The resignation came on the back of Southgate saying before the tournament that it was unlikely he would be in charge if England failed to win the competition and the revelation that the FA would try and convince him to stay on.

Bellingham, meanwhile, took the opportunity to reflect on the tournament as a whole, and apologised to fans for England coming up short in their bid to win a first major trophy since 1966.