Jude Bellingham has lit up the 2026 FIFA World Cup like no England star this century. Be it dominating the midfield, putting in last-ditch goal saving tackles, providing instrumental crosses or finishing them, the 23 YO has done it all in America. Yet, the Real Madrid starlet might be more mortal than you imagine. Perhaps the most mortal of us all.
For all his skills on the pitch, Bellingham lacks severely in managing himself off the pitch. Such drastic is the situation that he is now being shown up by his younger brother Jobe, who is also a professional footballer.
Recently, a picture of Jobe driving did the rounds on social media. It was taken when the 20-year-old arrived early to the Borussia Dortmund training grounds as the German club began preparations for the upcoming 2026/27 season.
The photo of a footballer driving in itself is nothing noteworthy. However, at this point you may be wondering why no such picture of his brother Jude has ever appeared in the media.
Well, the reason is straightforward. The Jude Bellingham, World Cup golden ball contender, does not hold a valid diver’s license. Despite becoming a global phenomenon and playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world, the Brummie boy to this day remains reliant on his mother Denise to take him around Madrid.
However, driving is not the only area of life where Jobe has taken precedence. Despite being the younger brother, the Dortmund talisman has had to make much bigger sacrifices than Jude ever did while trying to become one of the world’s best.
None ranks higher than having to make do living far away from his mother. Denise is stuck living with Jude because he cannot cook for himself, unlike Jobe who has been looking after both himself and his father.
Jobe had referenced his struggles in a video n 2024. Featuring on Jude’s YouTube channel, Jobe had explained how “useless” his older brother is.
“Maybe if Jude could learn how to cook and drive then mum could come back and live with me but no, he’s useless, so I’ll just have to make do won’t I?” Jobe said to the camera.
Jude Bellingham’s little brother, Jobe, says if Jude learned how to drive and cook, his mother would be living with him, but instead, she’s with Jude because Jude is useless 😂😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/cBNjqpDNFT
— Top Girl Keiko, J.D. ✝️🙏 (@TopGirlKeiko) July 13, 2026
The living arrangement has now been prevalent for years. Unlike Jobe, when Jude’s professional career travelled abroad with a move to Dortmund, his mother Denise followed. Not only was she in-charge of the footballer’s financial and logistical matters, Denise also had to partake in day-to-day care of her son.
An incident during the Bellinghams’ stint in Germany had gone viral when Jude once forgot to take his passport to the airport. Denise drove all the way to ensure her son’s travel was not hampered, but the narrative of Jude’s carelessness grew stronger.
Currently, the duo reside in Madrid as Jude plies his trade at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Jobe, meanwhile, had his father alongside him in England as he tried to make his name with Sunderland. While Jobe’s stature with the Black Cats grew, he continued managing his chores off the field too.
The sacrifices ultimately came good for Jobe as the 20-year-old last year earned a move to Dortmund himself. However, they might have taken a toll on his parents, who reportedly have split after the last half a decade apart.
Nevertheless, Jude won’t be bothered too much about his life choices given `he is being touted as a potential legend already after his World Cup antics. For now, his focus will be firmly on Lionel Messi and co to set up a potential date with history for England.
