Why Jobe Bellingham Will Have His First Name on the Back of His England Shirt
England newcomer Jobe Bellingham has talked about why he chooses to wear ‘Jobe’ instead of ‘Bellingham’ on the back of his shirt for both his club and country.
Jobe got his first senior England call-up on Friday, November 6, after being picked by Thomas Tuchel for the Nations League matches against Croatia and Spain.
The 21-year-old, who’s been one of Borussia Dortmund’s top players this season, was called up because the team is short of central midfielders. Tuchel explained, “We have a small problem in central midfield as Alex Scott isn’t ready. Myles Lewis-Skelly, who played in all four games, got a yellow card and is suspended for the Croatia match, so we’re short.”
He added, “Lee Carsley has been speaking very well of Jobe recently. He’s doing great for Borussia Dortmund and this is a good chance for him to join and learn in the first team.”
Jobe started wearing ‘Jobe’ on his shirt in summer 2023 after moving for £3 million from his boyhood club Birmingham City to Sunderland. He said a coach who worked with him at both clubs suggested it.
“When I signed for Sunderland, a special coach I had at both Birmingham and Sunderland suggested it,” Jobe told Borussia Dortmund’s official website in June 2025. “I was young and thought it was cool to have my own name on the back. It didn’t mean much at first, but it’s become something unique. It shows I’m making my own path.
“Some people don’t like it, but I don’t mind. You can’t chase your goals and listen to everyone at once. I only listen to people who really know what they’re talking about – not internet critics who say nonsense. I just try to get better every day, and my name on my shirt is part of that.”
A year earlier, former Sunderland manager Tony Mowbray said Jobe was focused on making his own name. “I think he’s trying to create his own identity,” he said. “He doesn’t want to just follow his brother’s name; he wants to show people what he can do.”
Jobe’s call-up is a huge moment for his older brother, Jude Bellingham, who plays for Real Madrid. In 2024, Jude shared on his YouTube channel that playing alongside Jobe for England would be a dream come true.
“Because we’re close in age and have played together since we were kids, playing with my brother for England would be the biggest dream of my life,” he said.
“That would mean more than any trophy, especially if we could do it regularly and play at big tournaments and win together. Honestly, nothing would compare to that.”