Bellingham reacts to missing out on 'dream' match with brother Jobe ahead of Real Madrid's Club World Cup quarter-final against Borussia Dortmund
Published 05/07/2025 at 15:39 GMT+1
Jobe Bellingham is suspended for Borussia Dortmund's FIFA Club World Cup quarter-final with Real Madrid, denying him a match-up against older brother Jude, who has said yellow cards and suspensions are a "common theme" in the Bellingham family. The Madrid midfielder said playing against his younger sibling is something he has "dreamed of", but the brothers will have to wait for their first clash.
'Nobody told him' - Jude Bellingham on missing 'dream' match-up against Jobe
Video credit: SNTV
Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham has said yellow cards are a "common theme" for him and his brother Jobe, with the younger sibling's suspension denying them a "dream" match-up at the FIFA Club World Cup.
Madrid take on Borussia Dortmund in the quarter-finals on Saturday, but Jobe is suspended for the clash in New Jersey after picking up his second booking of the tournament in the German side's last-16 victory over Monterrey.Â
It means there will be no highly-anticipated midfield battle between the siblings, who have featured in all four games of their respective teams so far in the United States.
Despite Jobe’s absence preventing a moment the family had "always dreamed of", older brother Jude is hardly surprised to see his sibling in the referees' bad books. Â
Discussing his brother’s suspension, the Madrid midfielder said: "He told me after that nobody had told him, and he wasn't sure.Â
"But yeah, it's a common theme with both of us, I think, with yellow cards and suspensions. It's just one of those things."
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/06/10/image-7ce7e1b5-9d39-484e-82b6-dfd6cf0640a4-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
Bellingham joins first training session with Borussia Dortmund
Video credit: SNTV
He added: "It would have been lovely for me and my family, for both of us, something that we've obviously dreamed of, but I'm sure it will come around again.Â
"That's part of football, so we have to accept it."
Jude also picked up a booking in Madrid's last-16 tie, but made it through the group stage unscathed, unlike his brother, who was given a yellow card in the final group game against Ulsan HD which many fans argued was harsh.
Despite being denied a family affair in midfield, there will still be emotion attached to this fixture for Jude, facing his former side.Â
The 22-year-old spent three seasons at Dortmund between 2020 and 2023, having joined the Bundesliga side aged 17.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/07/02/image-0ddbf35e-b906-420c-af23-68c88d2f9d58-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
Borussia Dortmund's Jobe Bellingham
Image credit: Getty Images
Jobe followed in the footsteps of his older brother this summer, joining the German team for a reported ÂŁ27 million after achieving Championship promotion with Sunderland.Â
The 19-year-old's suspension for Saturday's match came as a huge blow, with the prospect of a quarter-final meeting with his brother being a genuine selling point in joining Dortmund, the Guardian reports.Â
Madrid and Dortmund meet in New Jersey on Saturday for a place in the semi-finals, where they will face either Paris Saint-Germain or Bayern Munich.Â
- RB Leipzig growing concerned as Arsenal play hardball for Sesko – Paper Round
- Rashford among five players asking to leave Man Utd this summer - reports
- Fluminense eliminate Al Hilal to reach Club World Cup semi-finals
Both sides drew their opening games of the tournament but have since picked up three wins from three, with Los Blancos knocking out Juventus in the last 16 as Dortmund edged past Monterrey.Â
The first semi-final match-up is already decided, with Chelsea set to face Fluminense following their last-eight victory over Palmeiras.
Watch and stream the Premier League and UEFA Champions League live on TNT Sports and discovery+
Related Topics
Thoughts?