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FIFA Club World Cup: Jobe Bellingham has lift-off in a Borussia Dortmund jersey
It may not have been the most thrilling of debuts, but Jobe Bellingham’s assured bow for Borussia Dortmund at the FIFA Club World Cup represented another significant chapter.
The younger brother of Real Madrid and England international Jude Bellingham, the teenager joined the Bundesliga heavyweights ahead of this summer's tournament.
Now, he aims to follow in his footsteps by starring for Dortmund and earning fully-fledged Three Lions honours after a £26.96million move from Sunderland.
With his first appearance since helping the Black Cats secure promotion to the Premier League, he hopes for a similar trajectory following a goalless draw with Fluminense.
Certainly his older sibling, 21, has not looked back since swapping Birmingham City for Dortmund in 2020, before he made a blockbuster move to Madrid two summers ago.
The Bellingham brothers are special talents.
When Lee Bowyer gave Jobe his debut for Birmingham in 2022, he was 16 years and 107 days, the club’s second-youngest player — after Jude.
The latter is widely regarded as the greatest English talent of his generation, already a UEFA Champions League winner, but is Jobe set for a similar career trajectory?
His 31-minute outing against Brazilian side Fluminense, on his first competitive appearance for Dortmund, was not the dream debut he might have hoped for.
There was no last-minute winner or piece of individual brilliance to tell his grandkids about in the decades to come.
Still, there were flashes at MetLife Stadium of his awesome potential which saw him recently named the Championship young player of the season.
Significantly, Jobe recorded stats of a 93% passing accuracy and completed 26 of 28 passes.
He cut an imposing figure in the middle of the park, showing impressive distribution skills in front of his watching parents Mark and Denise.
His older brother Jude’s defining moments have generally been attacking ones – Jobe has stepped out of his sibling’s shadow this season by displaying remarkable defensive maturity at just 19 years of age.
Before Sunderland’s play-off semi-final, Coventry manager Frank Lampard said he had tried to sign Jude for Chelsea and was already an admirer of Jobe.
The younger Bellingham looked at home in a Dortmund jersey against Fluminense and has quickly acclimatised to life with the Bundesliga giants.
Shortly before the German side headed to the US, Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl told local media: “Jobe is clearly in rhythm, having played further into the season.
“He’s a good kid - very open, but also possesses a winning mentality, the right discipline and professionalism.
“Jobe has already made his mark in training during the first few days.
“That’s why we’re glad to have completed the deal before the Club World Cup.
“He will strengthen us – not just for this tournament, but hopefully for many years to come.”
Capped by England from Under-16 to Under-21 level, it remains to be seen whether Bellingham could soon join his sibling in the senior ranks.
Nevertheless, if he can deliver on his much-vaunted promise for Dortmund and make a positive impact stateside here, it could be a springboard to a first senior cap sooner rather than later.
His next chance to shine for Dortmund – and maybe earn his first start – comes when they face Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday in their next match in Group F.
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