Sports | Opinion | Jude & Jobe Bellingham
Jude (1 goal) and Jobe Bellingham (2 assists), were involved in three goals between them on Wednesday night as Jude’s side Real Madrid edged past Juventus in a 1-0 win, while Jobe’s team Dortmund breezed beyond FC København in a 4-2 win in Denmark.
Brothers in Arms
It’s proved a season of struggle in the Bellingham Household – a campaign where stars have been shadows – but yesterday’s European games showed two Champions in their own league, something that’s been hard to come by for the pair in recent weeks.
While Jude’s goal provided breathing space in Madrid, over in Germany, his younger brother’s performance teased a new chapter of the Bellingham story might just be taking shape.
Two brothers, two nations, and a reminder that class always finds its way home.
Jobe thrived at his older brother’s former club – he looked reborn at the heart of Dortmund’s midfield and was rewarded with two assists during his 90-minute runout in their comfortable win against the Danish champions.
Jude on the other hand – a diamond in England’s growing catalogue of talent – has struggled to restart his engine this season during a continuous run of injury misfortune.
So, when a tight-angled ricochet off the post fell at his feet, he made no mistake and sealed an important three points for Madrid – his first goal of the campaign.
Family Ties
All seems to be heading upwards for the duo – whose father is constantly at the neck of those who believe in his boys’ hard work. But even he surely admits that the pair have looked devoid of confidence so far this season.
Ever since Jobe completed his £30 million summer move from Sunderland, he’s always been on the periphery of Dortmund boss Niko Kovac’s squad – a yellow wall that he has struggled to break through.
A Household With History
A completely different journey to the one his older brother trekked during his time in Germany – with Jobe’s stuttered start.
Jobe has often been left to warm the bench, which wasn’t the view he was expecting when he swapped BrewDog for Beck’s, as his confidence seemed to turn half glass empty in Dortmund.
It’s an unfortunate turn of events after his promising campaign in England’s second tier last year – one that helped bring derby days back to Wearside, as the Black Cats beat Sheffield United in the playoff final to regain their status as a Premier League team – an achievement they managed for the first time since relegation in 2017.
Champions in Their Own League
But his inspiring show against København may be the opening that allows him to shoot for the stars. It was a display of grit and determination – a man on a mission to work his way onto the BVB team sheet.
It was a performance worthy of igniting conversation over his regular involvement in Kovac’s side – a place that’s almost guaranteed if he continues to play like the second coming of his older brother – who will be relieved that he was able to revive his own scoring form against the Italian giants.
A couple of positive displays for the talented family, who will look to maintain these levels in the weeks to come. One that will surely boost their confidence, add fuel to the Bellinghams’ fire, and turn up the heat on their future form – It wasn’t just a night of goals and assists but a springboard to reach their limits.
