Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham has undergone surgery to address a recurring left shoulder dislocation that has plagued him since November 2023. The surgery, confirmed by Real Madrid in an official statement, was performed by Drs. Manuel Leyes and Andrew Wallace, under the supervision of the Real Madrid Medical Services.
Bellingham's shoulder issues began in a La Liga match against Rayo Vallecano, causing him to miss four games. Despite returning to the field, he continued to wear a shoulder brace, indicating the injury hadn't fully healed. He opted to delay surgery until after Real Madrid's participation in the Club World Cup, where they reached the semi-finals.
While Real Madrid has not officially specified a recovery timeline, Spanish media outlets estimate Bellingham will be sidelined for approximately 12 weeks. This timeline suggests a return to action in early to mid-October.
Bellingham's absence will impact both Real Madrid and the England national team. He is expected to miss the start of the La Liga season, including Real Madrid's opening match against Osasuna on August 19, as well as the Madrid derby against Atletico in late September and the first two UEFA Champions League group stage matches. For England, he will be unavailable for FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Andorra, Serbia, and Latvia in September and October.
The midfielder himself expressed his frustration with the injury, stating he was "fed up with the brace" during the Club World Cup. Despite the discomfort, Bellingham played through the pain, making key appearances for both Real Madrid and England.
The expected recovery period could see Bellingham back in action for the first El Clasico of the season against Barcelona in late October. In Bellingham's absence, players like Eduardo Camavinga, Arda Guler and Brahim Diaz are likely to see increased playing time for Real Madrid.