Real Madrid midfielder expected to miss a large chunk of this year’s La Liga games if procedure goes ahead
Real Madrid are preparing for midfielder Jude Bellingham to undergo shoulder surgery after the Club World Cup, with the recovery expected to sideline him for around 12 weeks.
The England international has been carrying the problem since dislocating his left shoulder against Rayo Vallecano back in November 2023, but he has managed to play through the pain since that time due to the packed fixture calendar.
With the Club World Cup in the United States ending by mid July, Real Madrid see this as the best window for Bellingham to have surgery and recover without missing too much of the 2025-26 season.
There were signs of earlier shoulder issues during Bellingham’s time at Borussia Dortmund, with images showing him in shoulder strapping on more than one occasion. The England international missed four games after dislocating it during the match against Rayo Vallecano and has worn shoulder strapping for most of the time since then.
Despite the discomfort, Bellingham has remained a key player for Los Blancos. He finished last season with 14 goals and 14 assists in 51 appearances across all competitions.
The surgery will be carried out at the same specialist clinic that treated teammates Ferland Mendy, Antonio Rudiger and Eder Militao for various long-term injuries earlier in the season.
The recovery period after the surgery could potentially last up to 12 weeks, although Madrid are hopeful that it won’t take that long. It is certain, however, that the club will be without their midfield talisman at the start of the new La Liga campaign. Madridistas can look forward to the player returning by December.
Madrid are set to face RB Salzburg in Group H of the Club World Cup, and if they qualify, will likely face Manchester City in the Round of 16. If the club exit the competition in that tie, Bellingham could undergo surgery much earlier.
