Brits Abroad: Captain Harry Kane smashes another Bundesliga record after winning prestigious German prize while Jude Bellingham & Conor Gallagher score to keep La Liga title race alive

Brits Abroad review as Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Conor Gallagher headline another weekend of British success overseas

Every season, more British players decide to pack their bags, step outside familiar surroundings and test themselves abroad. The Premier League remains the most watched league in the world and the Championship is still one of the toughest proving grounds in football, but the idea that English, Scottish and Welsh players must stay at home has finally been dismantled.

This weekend, as most of Europe signed off for the winter break, Brits Abroad once again delivered a reminder of how far that shift has come. From Germany to Spain, Italy to France, British players were decisive, influential and, in some cases, record-breaking.

Harry Kane produced another landmark moment in the Bundesliga, Jude Bellingham rediscovered his scoring touch at the Bernabeu, Conor Gallagher continued to thrive as Atletico Madrid’s unlikely super-sub, and a distinctly British subplot emerged ahead of an Italian Super Cup final being played thousands of miles from home.

Here’s the full rundown of the British players making headlines away from their homeland this week.

Captain Harry Kane smashes Bundesliga record on landmark Bayern Munich weekend

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At this point, Harry Kane breaking records in Germany has become almost routine, but Sunday felt different. There was symbolism, recognition and a sense that Kane’s Bayern Munich chapter is entering its defining phase.

The England captain scored Bayern’s fourth goal in a comfortable 4-0 win away at Heidenheim, controlling the ball with trademark calm before swivelling and drilling a finish in at the near post. It was classic Kane: efficient, ruthless, almost understated.

That goal marked his 100th Bundesliga goal contribution – 81 goals and 19 assists – achieved in just 78 matches. No player in Bundesliga history has reached that milestone faster. Kane also ends 2025 with 60 goals in all competitions, a number that would have felt absurd even a few years ago.

The timing made it even sweeter. Just days earlier, Kane had been named kicker’s German Footballing Personality of the Year, a prestigious honour that underlines how completely he has been embraced by the German footballing public. For the first time, he also wore the captain’s armband for Bayern, with Manuel Neuer and Joshua Kimmich both absent.

Bayern now sit nine points clear at the top of the Bundesliga and remain unbeaten domestically, halfway through what could become a historic season.

“Ending the year on a high,” Kane wrote on Instagram. “Delighted to lead the boys out as captain and reach 100 goal contributions in the Bundesliga. Time to recover over the winter break and go again in 2026.”

Speaking after the match, Kane struck a familiar balance between satisfaction and hunger. “We dominated the first half and scored two goals. In the second, we missed chances and Heidenheim had a few moments, but it’s an important win. We’re in a good position in every competition – now we want more.”

For a player who spent years carrying the weight of the “no trophies” narrative, Kane’s Bayern move continues to look inspired rather than risky.

Jude Bellingham back among goals as La Liga title race stays alive

Real Madrid CF v Sevilla FC – LaLiga EA Sports

If Kane’s weekend was about milestones, Jude Bellingham’s was about momentum.

Real Madrid were made to work for a 2-0 win over Sevilla at the Bernabeu, in a tense, occasionally fractious contest that never quite settled. With the crowd growing restless, it was Bellingham who broke the deadlock shortly before half-time, rising highest to meet Rodrygo’s whipped free-kick and guiding a header into the far corner.

It ended a seven-game scoring drought and, more importantly, eased the pressure on Carlo Ancelotti’s side at a crucial moment in the title race.

Despite his goal, Bellingham barely dominated the headlines in Spain. Much of the post-match discussion centred on Kylian Mbappe’s late penalty, comparisons to Cristiano Ronaldo, and renewed speculation around Vinicius Junior’s contract situation. That, in many ways, reflects how quickly Bellingham has become normalised at Madrid – excellence expected rather than celebrated.

Still, the England midfielder was quietly reflective afterwards. “Nice way to end 2025, but we have to be better in 2026,” he wrote. “Through the good and bad, thank you for all your support.”

Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid both won this weekend, but they remain four and nine points behind leaders Barcelona respectively. With the title race finely balanced, goals like Bellingham’s may yet prove decisive.

Conor Gallagher scores again as Atletico Madrid’s super-sub

Conor Gallagher’s Atletico Madrid career has not followed a predictable script, but his impact is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.

Once again deployed from the bench, Gallagher scored in Atletico’s 3-0 win away at Girona, extending Diego Simeone’s side’s impressive run to 11 wins in their last 13 matches. Remarkably, all three of Gallagher’s goals this season have come as a substitute.

Introduced early after Nico Gonzalez was forced off injured, Gallagher immediately brought energy and forward momentum. Spanish newspaper MARCA described him as “omnipresent”, praising his willingness to break lines and arrive late into dangerous areas.

His goal, a deflected strike from the edge of the box, capped an excellent first-half cameo. He was withdrawn late on after misplacing a pass that visibly irritated Simeone, but the overall contribution was undeniably positive.

Gallagher’s situation remains intriguing. He is not a guaranteed starter, but he keeps delivering when called upon. With Thomas Tuchel monitoring options ahead of England’s World Cup campaign, Gallagher is doing everything possible to stay in the conversation.

Speculation about a return to the Premier League – particularly links with Manchester United – refuses to fade. January could be pivotal.

Ferguson and Rowe set up British-flavoured Italian Super Cup final

Girona FC v Atletico de Madrid – LaLiga EA Sports

There will be a distinct British accent to Monday’s Supercoppa Italiana final, played in Riyadh, as Napoli face Bologna.

Napoli, led by Scott McTominay, booked their place with a 2-0 win over AC Milan. Bologna’s route was far more dramatic. They came from behind to draw 1-1 with Inter before prevailing in a chaotic penalty shootout that saw five misses in total.

Lewis Ferguson and Jonathan Rowe both held their nerve from the spot, sending Bologna into the final and setting up a fascinating duel.

Ferguson, Bologna’s captain, has struggled for consistent minutes this season, but head coach Vincenzo Italiano insists the issue is fitness rather than form. “When he goes away with the national team, he performs at a very high level,” Italiano said. “Here, it’s been up and down.”

McTominay, meanwhile, continues to earn rave reviews in Italy. Napoli defender Sam Beukema recently described him as “the strongest player in Italy,” praise that speaks volumes about how well the former Manchester United midfielder has adapted.

Greenwood and Gomes shine as Marseille cruise in Coupe de France

Bologna FC 1909 v FC Internazionale – Supercoppa Italiana Semifinal

In France, Mason Greenwood and Angel Gomes were both influential as Marseille stormed into the Coupe de France last 32 with a 6-0 win over Bourg-Peronnas.

Greenwood scored Marseille’s second after a tight first half, while Gomes provided an assist in a performance that served as a timely reminder of his quality amid speculation about his long-term future.

Despite the scoreline, head coach Roberto De Zerbi was characteristically demanding. “It wasn’t perfect,” he admitted. “We conceded too many chances. But we approached the match seriously, and that’s what matters.”

Marseille now head into a crucial January with Ligue 1, the Champions Trophy and cup commitments all looming.

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Maitland-Niles captains Lyon for the first time

One of the quieter but most satisfying stories of the weekend came in Lyon, where Ainsley Maitland-Niles captained a senior side for the first time in his career.

The 28-year-old wore the armband as Lyon beat Saint-Cyr Collonges 3-0 in the Coupe de France. Despite a recent suspension and an inconsistent run of form, Maitland-Niles remains popular with supporters and has embraced his leadership role.

For a player whose career has taken unexpected turns, moments like this underline the value of stepping outside familiar territory.

Brits Abroad continues to deliver

From Kane rewriting Bundesliga history to Bellingham and Gallagher shaping title races, this weekend was another reminder that British players abroad are no longer the exception.

They are leaders, captains, match-winners and record-breakers – and increasingly, they look right at home.