Bellingham brothers’ success driven by parents' football vision

Jude and Jobe Bellingham are walking similar paths in football, and it's no coincidence. Their rise is the result of a carefully mapped-out family plan, led by their police sergeant father Mark and dedicated mother Denise.

While Jude Bellingham has become a global star at Real Madrid, playing alongside Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr., younger brother Jobe is now preparing to follow in his footsteps with a move to Borussia Dortmund.

Jude’s move to Madrid for £88.5 million marked a defining moment in his career. At just 21, he’s already a central figure for both Los Blancos and England under Thomas Tuchel.

Jobe, 19, has taken a similar route—starting at Birmingham City, moving to Sunderland for just £1.5 million, and becoming a breakout star with 90 appearances and an EFL Young Player of the Season award. Now, he’s signed a five-year contract with Dortmund—the club that helped launch Jude’s career on the European stage.

But the real story lies behind the scenes. Mark Bellingham, a former non-league striker with over 700 goals, introduced his sons to football and taught them the discipline needed to excel. Jude once called his father his *“first footballing hero.”*

While Jude moved to Spain, Mark stayed back with Jobe in England to guide his development. Denise, who works in HR, manages Jude’s finances and even lives with him in Madrid—“making his bed and cooking his meals”, as Jude once revealed.

The family's tight-knit support network has been key. Jude and his parents flew in to watch Jobe play for England’s U21s last November. Their bond ensures neither brother walks alone, no matter how big the stage.

Jobe’s upcoming move to Dortmund isn’t just a transfer—it’s another chapter in a family project built on trust, discipline, and unity. And with both brothers now at elite European clubs, the idea of seeing them side-by-side in a Real Madrid shirt one day no longer feels far-fetched.