Bellingham's younger brother struggles mentally due to family troubles

Following his transfer to Borussia Dortmund this past summer, Jobe Bellingham, the younger sibling of Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham, is facing challenges in his football career and personal life.

Joining Dortmund from Sunderland for around £27 million, Jobe was expected to follow in the footsteps of his brother, who shone brightly in the black and yellow jersey. However, the reality has been far from smooth. The 20-year-old has yet to score or assist after 9 appearances this season and is often relegated to the bench under coach Nico Kovac.

Jobe’s Bundesliga debut in August ended in disappointment as he was substituted just after halftime in the draw against St. Pauli. According to Sky Germany, his father, Mark Bellingham, expressed anger towards sporting director Sebastian Kehl, believing his son was treated unfairly. This incident forced Dortmund to issue an official statement emphasizing that “the professional area is reserved only for players, coaches, and management, not family members or agents”.

Since then, the relationship between the Bellingham family and the club has gradually become strained. Some reports even claim that Mark has been banned from entering Dortmund’s locker room.

According to Daily Mail, Jobe’s decline in performance is not only due to footballing issues but also linked to personal family problems. Sources reveal that his parents, Mark and Denise, have been living separately for years and now show clear signs of a breakdown.

“The coaching staff noticed that Jobe is facing psychological difficulties. He hardly integrates with teammates, rarely goes out, and spends most of his time alone at home,” a source from Dortmund shared. “The tense atmosphere at home makes Jobe feel insecure and puts a lot of pressure on him.”

In the most recent match where both parents attended the stadium, it is said they did not speak to each other throughout the game, further raising concerns that the family situation is directly affecting the young midfielder’s mental state.

At 20 years old, Jobe Bellingham remains a highly promising talent, but he is currently facing the biggest challenge of his career. Living under the huge shadow of his brother Jude, combined with personal troubles, makes his future at Dortmund uncertain.

If he cannot improve his form and integrate into the team, it is possible that he will need to find a new club to salvage what could be a long career ahead.