Why does Jobe Bellingham have his first name on his shirt? Jude’s brother doesn’t go by surname but England star does
The Bellingham brothers have both made waves in 2024, but only England superstar Jude is doing it with his surname on his back.
The 20-year-old England international named his younger brother as one of three players who could follow him in winning the Golden Boy award this year.
Bellingham crowned a historic first season in Spain by lifting the Champions League this month to cement his name as one of the best around.
The midfielder's surname will now be adorned on England fans' shirts across the country during Euro 2024 in Germany.
However, his sibling, who is currently starring for England men’s Elite League Squad across Europe in Croatia, is a talent in his own right.
Jobe, two years Jude's junior, signed for Sunderland from the family's boyhood club Birmingham City last summer.
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His form has been so impressive that he has already attracted interest from the Premier League.
However, should he make the jump to England's top-flight, his new club will be expected to sell shirts without the Bellingham name on the back of his shirt.
Why Jobe doesn't have Bellingham on his shirt?
Jude's younger brother currently wears the No.7 shirt at Sunderland with his first name on the back.
The Black Cats star opted for a shirt change as he wants to create his own identity rather than being compared to his older sibling.
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Jobe made his debut for Birmingham's senior side as a 16-year-old with the Bellingham name in January 2022.
However, he decided to rebrand upon his switch to Sunderland in June 2023, just over a week after his brother Jude joined Real Madrid.
The move, which required approval from the English Football League, was seen as an attempt to lighten the load of the Bellingham name.
Tony Mowbray, who was Sunderland's manager at the time, explained: “I think he’s trying to create his own identity.
“He doesn’t want to live off the back of his brother’s name; he wants to be the footballer that he is and show people what he can do.”