Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham is set to be out of action for up to 12 weeks after undergoing successful surgery on a long-standing shoulder injury, the club announced on Tuesday.
Bellingham has been struggling with shoulder discomfort after dislocating it in a La Liga match in November 2023, and playing with a brace under his shirt since then.
The England midfielder held off on the operation until after Madrid’s participation in the Club World Cup this summer, with Xabi Alonso’s side reaching the semi-finals.
Although conservative treatment allowed him to finish the previous campaign, ongoing discomfort led to the decision for surgical intervention this summer.
In an official statement, the club said, “Our player Jude Bellingham has undergone successful surgery today to correct a dislocated shoulder that has been troubling him in recent months. The operation was carried out under the supervision of the Real Madrid Medical Services, and he will begin his recovery process immediately. His estimated time out is approximately 12 weeks.”
READ ALSO: Modric joins AC Milan on one-year contract deal
The 22-year-old England international has been instrumental since joining Los Blancos from Borussia Dortmund in 2023, quickly becoming a key figure in Carlo Ancelotti’s squad. His commanding presence, goal-scoring ability, and maturity beyond his years helped Real Madrid secure a domestic double last season.
Bellingham is set to miss the La Liga visit to face rivals Atletico Madrid in late September, as well as the club’s first two Champions League matches. His absence will be a significant blow for the Spanish champions, who are preparing for the start of the 2025–26 La Liga campaign and their Champions League title defense
The 22-year-old midfielder should be back in action by the time Madrid host Barcelona in the first Clasico of the season in late October.
“I’ve got 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,” said Bellingham during the Club World Cup.
The club is expected to turn to midfield options such as Eduardo Camavinga, Federico Valverde, and Arda Güler during Bellingham’s recovery period.
The England national team will also be impacted, with Bellingham now set to miss the upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures in September. England manager Gareth Southgate will be hoping the midfielder returns in time for the final round of matches ahead of the Euro 2026 qualifiers later in the year.
Bellingham is expected to continue his rehabilitation at Real Madrid’s Valdebebas training facility, under close supervision by the club’s medical and physiotherapy teams.
The midfielder will also miss World Cup qualifiers with England against Andorra and Serbia on September 6 and 9 respectively.