The hidden reason why Borussia Dortmund Midfielder Jobe Bellingham Doesn’t Have Surname on Back of His Shirt

Jobe Bellingham was in the process of securing a move of his own, departing Birmingham City for Sunderland, while his superstar sibling was making the earth-shattering move to Real Madrid in 2023. With a brother like Jude Bellingham, it would have been simple for the youngster to capitalize on the midfielder’s star power and leverage his reputation and the weight of the Bellingham name. However, the then-18-year-old requested that his surname be omitted from his shirt at the Stadium of Light.

The decision was also not straightforward, as Sunderland was required to request permission from the EFL for the youngster to remove his last name. However, what was the rationale behind his decision to remove the name “Bellingham” from the back of his jersey?

The Reason for Jobe’s Removal of the ‘Bellingham’ From His Shirt
His surname was previously displayed on his Birmingham jersey.

The decision to emerge from his brother’s shadow and pursue his career the hard way is commendable, as it would have been simple for the Borussia Dortmund star to capitalize on his brother’s stature as one of the most talented midfielders in the world.

 

Jobe’s signing with Sunderland on June 14, 2023, coincided with his brother’s arrival at Real Madrid. However, his transfer was somewhat overlooked. The situation did not persist for long, as the midfielder made an extraordinary start and justified the club’s confidence in him.

Bellingham played 90 games and contributed 15 goals to the club during his two-year tenure. After the Black Cats returned to the Championship, he joined them. However, he was instrumental in their return to the Premier League and the promised land, as they defeated Sheffield United in the playoff final. The midfielder resolved to depart after assisting them in achieving their first promotion to the top tier of football in nearly a decade.

In March 2024, the Englishman scored his most notable goal to date during Sunderland’s 4-2 loss to Southampton at St Mary’s. He expertly curled a long-range effort into the far corner.