Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham has undergone successful surgery to correct a long-standing issue with his left shoulder.
The 22-year-old has been managing the shoulder problem since November 2023, when he first suffered a dislocation during a match against Rayo Vallecano.
He opted against surgery last summer in order to remain available for England’s European Championship campaign, instead relying on physiotherapy work and a shoulder brace to get through the season.
However, after completing the Club World Cup in the United States last month, Bellingham confirmed he would finally go under the knife.
Speaking at the time, he said he was ‘tired of playing with the sling’ and eager to ‘have my old shoulder back’.
The midfielder is now expected to be out of action for up to 12 weeks, meaning he will miss the opening eight rounds of the La Liga season and the first two matches of the Champions League group stage.
He will also be unavailable for England’s World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia in September and could remain a doubt for the following month’s trip to Latvia.
Bellingham’s absence presents an early challenge for new Madrid boss Xabi Alonso, who begins his La Liga campaign against Osasuna on 19 August.
The injury also means Madrid will be without one of their most influential players as they aim to defend the league and Champions League titles.
Bellingham featured in 58 matches across all competitions last season, scoring 15 goals and providing 15 assists for the Spanish giants.
He also played a key role at the Club World Cup, netting against Pachuca and appearing in all of Madrid’s matches before they were knocked out in the semi-finals by Paris Saint-Germain.
Madrid will now be forced to adjust their midfield plans, with Bellingham set for a period of rest and recovery that could stretch into October.
His return will be carefully managed to avoid any further setbacks, especially given the club’s packed fixture schedule in the autumn.
