Real Madrid star midfielder Jude Bellingham is set to spend the next three months on the sidelines following a successful surgical procedure to address a recurring left shoulder dislocation, the Spanish club announced on Wednesday.
In an official statement, the La Liga giants confirmed that Bellingham had undergone the much-anticipated operation and would now begin the rehabilitation process. While the club did not specify a timeline for his recovery, multiple Spanish outlets reported that the England international is expected to be out of action for approximately 12 weeks.
Bellingham, 22, has been playing through discomfort for months after first dislocating his shoulder during a La Liga fixture in November 2023. In a bid to continue contributing on the pitch, the midfielder resorted to using a shoulder brace, which he wore discreetly beneath his shirt. Despite the precautions, the issue persisted and worsened, ultimately prompting the need for surgical intervention.
He delayed the operation to remain available for Real Madrid during the Club World Cup this summer, where the club reached the semi-final stage. Speaking candidly during the tournament, Bellingham admitted the brace had become a constant frustration. “I’ve got to the point where… I’m fed up with the brace, and having to tug on it and having (other) players tug on it, and it rearranging all the time,” he said.
With the surgery now behind him, Bellingham is expected to miss several key fixtures, including Real Madrid’s much-anticipated La Liga clash against city rivals Atletico Madrid in late September. Additionally, he will be unavailable for the opening rounds of the UEFA Champions League group stage.
His absence will also affect the England national team, as Bellingham will miss the World Cup qualifying matches against Andorra and Serbia scheduled for September 6 and 9. The loss will be felt by manager Gareth Southgate, who has come to rely on the young midfielder’s creativity and energy in the heart of the Three Lions’ midfield.
Real Madrid remains hopeful that Bellingham will return to full fitness by the end of October, just in time for the season’s first El Clasico, when Barcelona is expected to visit the Santiago Bernabéu. His potential comeback for the high-stakes encounter would be a significant boost for manager Carlo Ancelotti and Madrid fans alike.
While the timeline remains subject to change depending on the pace of his recovery, the club has expressed confidence in Bellingham’s rehabilitation process, with team medical staff closely monitoring his progress.
What you should know
Jude Bellingham has undergone shoulder surgery to fix a long-standing injury that he managed for months with a brace.
The Real Madrid and England midfielder is expected to be out for up to 12 weeks, missing key club and international fixtures, including Madrid’s derby against Atletico and England’s World Cup qualifiers.
