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| Jobe Bellingham Makes Borussia Dortmund Debut as 44-Year-Old Fluminense Goalkeeper Steals the Show at Club World Cup 2025. |
The MetLife Stadium in New Jersey witnessed an exciting moment in the Club World Cup 2025 as Jobe Bellingham made his debut for Borussia Dortmund. However, the match against Brazil’s Fluminense ended in a goalless draw. Despite the buzz around Bellingham, it was Fluminense’s 44-year-old goalkeeper Fabio who truly stole the spotlight!
Jobe Bellingham Follows in Big Brother's Footsteps
Jobe Bellingham, the younger brother of Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham, made his first appearance for Dortmund after transferring from Sunderland. He came off the bench, just 24 days after helping Sunderland earn Premier League promotion by beating Sheffield United at Wembley.
Though full of energy and ambition, Jobe couldn’t push Dortmund to victory this time. Still, his debut marks a promising start to his journey in German football.
44-Year-Old Goalkeeper Fabio Steals the Spotlight
While the spotlight was on young talents, it was veteran keeper Fabio who stunned the crowd. At 44 years old, he not only started for Fluminense but also kept a clean sheet in the 1,375th match of his career—incredible!
Fluminense created the better chances throughout the game. Colombian forward Jhon Arias was particularly threatening with three close efforts. Hercules and Matheus Martinelli also had shots that just missed the target, while Agustin Canobbio wasted a golden opportunity that was saved by Dortmund’s Gregor Kobel.
Stadium Atmosphere & Fan Turnout
The game took place at the iconic MetLife Stadium, which is set to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final. However, much like Chelsea’s opening Club World Cup game against LAFC, many seats remained empty. Official attendance was 34,736—far below the venue’s capacity of over 82,000.
Still, Fluminense fans brought the energy, traveling in large numbers from South America and creating a lively, passionate atmosphere that echoed through the stadium.
Thiago Silva Proves Age Is Just a Number
Another veteran who impressed was Thiago Silva. The former Chelsea defender, who will turn 41 in September, led Fluminense as captain and put in a masterclass in defense. His positioning, anticipation, and leadership were top-notch, showing he still has plenty to offer at the highest level.
Silva was named Player of the Match with an average rating of 8.26, outperforming every other player on the pitch.
What’s Next?
Both teams are back in action this Saturday:
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Borussia Dortmund will face Mamelodi Sundowns from South Africa in Cincinnati.
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Fluminense will go up against Ulsan HD from South Korea back in New Jersey.
Extra Notes
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Chelsea target Jamie Gittens came on as a late substitute for Dortmund.
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Carney Chukwuemeka, currently on loan at Dortmund from Chelsea, also made a brief appearance.
Although the match ended 0-0, it offered plenty of memorable moments. From Jobe Bellingham’s long-awaited debut to the ageless brilliance of Fabio and Thiago Silva, the game showed that both youth and experience can shine on the world stage.
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