Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham is expected to be sidelined for up to 12 weeks following successful surgery on a recurring shoulder injury, the club confirmed on Wednesday.
“Our player Jude Bellingham has undergone successful surgery for a recurrent left shoulder dislocation,” read a statement from the Spanish giants. “He will now begin a period of rehabilitation prior to his return to recovery work.”
While the club did not provide an official recovery timeline, multiple Spanish media outlets report the England international could be out for approximately three months.
Bellingham has been managing the injury since November 2023, when he first dislocated the shoulder during a La Liga fixture. Since then, he has continued to play — often wearing a shoulder brace under his jersey — but ongoing discomfort led to the decision to undergo surgery.
“I’ve got to the point where I’m fed up with the brace,” Bellingham said during the Club World Cup. “Having to tug on it, and having other players tug on it, and it rearranging all the time — it’s frustrating.”
The 22-year-old midfielder postponed the operation to remain available for Real Madrid’s Club World Cup campaign, with the team reaching the semi-finals under Xabi Alonso.
Bellingham is now set to miss several key fixtures, including:
La Liga clash vs. Atletico Madrid in late September First two UEFA Champions League group matches England’s World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia on September 6 and 9.
However, he is expected to return in time for the season’s first El Clásico against Barcelona, scheduled for late October.
Since joining Real Madrid, Bellingham has emerged as one of the club’s most influential players, contributing goals, creativity, and leadership in midfield.
His absence will be a significant blow to both Xabi Alonso’s squad and England manager Thomas Tuchel as they prepare for crucial autumn fixtures.