Bellingham. One of the biggest names in the footballing world right now.
Jude is the first of the Bellingham fold that comes to mind, having gone from Birmingham to the Bernabeu and rising to global fame along the way.
At just 21 years old, Bellingham has now completed his second domestic season with Real Madrid, playing alongside the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr.
Bought for £88.5m by Los Blancos, Bellingham has been performing at superb levels both for club and country, continuing to be at the forefront of new England manager Thomas Tuchel’s plans.
Yet, Jude is not the only Bellingham to be making a name for himself – with younger brother Jobe set to follow his older brother down a similar career path amid an impending move to German giants Borussia Dortmund.
But, what is it that’s lead to the striking similarities between the two? Well, Jobe and Jude have always maintained a close relationship, with family being a centrepiece for the Bellingham clan.
Jobe Bellingham looks set to leave Sunderland and join German side Borussia Dortmund
Jobe’s big brother Jude Bellingham previously played for Dortmund between 2020 and 2023
The Bellingham brothers have always had mother Denise and father Mark by their sides
The brothers may steal the spotlight but the importance of their parents cannot be forgotten given just how essential they were in the early stages of their sons’ careers.
The Bellinghams ferried both Jobe and Jude to football matches growing up and the pair continue to have an active presence in the boys’ lives.
When Jude moved to Madrid, Mark, a former non-league striker, stayed at home with Jobe to support his development while mother Denise went to the Spanish capital.
Denise, who works in human resources, manages her son’s finances, allowing the pair to focus on their football.
Jude even mentioned once that his mother, who resides with him in a shared flat in Madrid, makes his bed and cooks his meals.
Mark has also had an important impact on the boys’ life, being a key role model during their youth.
A retired police sergeant for West Midlands Police, Mark introduced both Jude and Jobe to football and gave them tips on how to improve and how to deal with the pressures of football.
With 700 goals in 900 appearances in the non-league, it is clear to see where the boys got their talent from, as Mark has been the catalyst for his boys falling in love with the sport.
Denise and Mark Bellingham pictured in the stands before a FIFA World Cup group match
Pictured: Jude Bellingham with his mother during his youth spell at boyhood club Birmingham
The family have always maintained a close relationship and helped shape their early careers
Jude told the The Football Association: ‘We talk about footballing heroes, and my dad was like my first.
‘When you go and watch him play every week in non-league, you know it’s not the Premier League or anything, but seeing the way that he played and the atmosphere, it made me fall in love with football so he was probably my first hero.’
The Bellingham’s consistently support eachother such as when Jude and his parents flew in to watch Jobe playing in the England Under-21s back in November 2024.
Jobe has benefitted greatly from his parents’ support just like Jude has, and the move to Borussia Dortmund marks a major step in his playing career.
His family will be with him every step of the way as the 19-year-old ventures into a new country and new league, competing at the top for one of Germany’s best teams.
The 19-year-old will follow in Jude’s footsteps and join Dortmund, signing on a five-year deal.
Just as his brother did, Jobe started at boyhood club Birmingham, progressing through the academy to play for the senior team.
Jude was among the first to congratulate his brother Jobe after Sunderland secured promotion
Jobe, Mark and Denise pictured celebrating Bellingham’s Champions League triumph in 2024
He made 25 appearances for the Blues before Sunderland picked up the young starlet for less than £1.5m, which seems an absolute steal now.
Stourbridge’s finest became a spearhead of the Black Cats’ midfield, making 90 appearances other two seasons, including propelling the side to a return to the Premier League after an eight-year wait.
His outstanding performances in the Championship deservedly won him the EFL Young Player of the Season, an accolade his older brother won when he was at Birmingham.
Who knows, pending the success of his spell with Borussia Dortmund, could Jobe and Jude play together under the lights of the Santiago Bernabeu? Only time will tell.
