Background
Bellarabi was born in Berlin, West Germany, to a Moroccan father and a German mother. He grew up in Bremen, where he played youth football for local clubs Football Club Huchting, Werder Bremen and Football Club Oberneuland.
Bellarabi was born in Berlin, West Germany, to a Moroccan father and a German mother. He grew up in Bremen, where he played youth football for local clubs Football Club Huchting, Werder Bremen and Football Club Oberneuland.
In 2008, Bellarabi joined the under-19 side of Eintracht Braunschweig. He made his senior debut for them during the 2008-2009 season, followed by two more appearances during the 2009-2010 league campaign. He finally became a regular starter during the 2010-2011 3.
Liga season and attracted notice due to his performance.
After the season, he left Braunschweig for Bundesliga side Bayer 04 Leverkusen. Due to injury, Bellarabi missed most of the 2012-2013 Bundesliga season.
In 2013, he returned from Leverkusen to Eintracht Braunschweig, by now playing in the Bundesliga as well, on a one-year loan deal. Bellarabi returned to Leverkusen at the start of the 2014-2015 season.
Bellarabi has played youth international football for the German under-20 and under-21 teams.
He was called up by the senior team in October 2014. He made his senior international debut for Germany on 11 October 2014 in a 2–0 Union of European Football Associations Euro 2016 qualifying defeat away to Poland, playing the full 90 minutes.