Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jobe Bellingham has explained why he does not wear his family name on the back of his shirt like his ‘Galactico’ brother, Jude.
Jude Bellingham has been sporting his family name on the back of his shirt since his Birmingham days. His younger brother Jobe, meanwhile, has gone down a different path, simply wearing ‘Jobe’ on the back of his Dortmund shirt.
Jobe Explains Why He Does Not Wear Bellingham on His Borussia Dortmund Shirt
Jobe’s decision has left fans puzzled, with many wondering why he did not opt to be a ‘Bellingham’ at Dortmund.
In his unveiling video, the 19-year-old midfielder offered a clear explanation.
“I’m not following anyone’s footsteps,” said Jobe (via Fox Sports).
“I don’t really care how it looks, but it might look a bit contradictory to some people; for me, it was about choosing the right path, not necessarily a different one. I don’t think my path has been the same as Jude’s at all.”
🏟️ 3 games
⚽️ 1 goal
🅰️ 1 assistJobe Bellingham is enjoying life at Dortmund 💛🖤 pic.twitter.com/HRTwsto6Gm
— LiveScore (@livescore) June 25, 2025
Jobe clarified that he picked his own name simply because he thought it would be “cool” to have. He insisted that there was no “deeper meaning” behind his unorthodox decision.
Jobe has been flaunting his name on the back of his shirt since leaving Jude’s boyhood club, Birmingham, for Sunderland. It will be interesting to see if Jobe soars as high as his brother did at Dortmund and earns a move to a European powerhouse like Real Madrid.
Jobe and Jude Bellingham Make Club World Cup History
Jobe joined Borussia Dortmund from Sunderland earlier in June, becoming the Black Cats’ record sale. Currently on FIFA Club World Cup duty with the German side, Jobe has already made an impact. He has played 173 minutes for the club across three matches, scoring one goal and providing an assist. Dortmund, who are unbeaten so far, will face Monterrey in the Round of 16 of the FIFA Club World Cup.
Jude Bellingham, meanwhile, has been thriving under new coach Xabi Alonso at Real Madrid. He could not score or assist in Los Blancos’ 1-1 draw with Al Hilal in the tournament opener, but got on the scoresheet on Matchday 2. Bellingham, who has complained about the pitches in the US, scored the opener in the 35th minute, as 10-man Real Madrid clinched a 3-1 victory over Pachuca.
🚨 Xabi Alonso: “Jude Bellingham will continue to be key for us. I love what he does in midfield”.
“He’s very ambitious, a player who always wants to improve, to keep growing. We’re eager to continue watching him grow and improve”. pic.twitter.com/KfuZQfy5Qi
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 26, 2025
Jobe and Jude Bellingham are the first brothers in Club World Cup history to play for opposing teams. If Real Madrid win Group H, they will land on the same side of the bracket as Borussia Dortmund. Success for both teams in the Round of 16 would put them head-to-head in the quarter-finals. What a fascinating clash that would turn out to be.
