Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham Faces Extended Layoff Following Shoulder Operation

‎Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham is expected to miss some playing time after undergoing shoulder surgery.

‎The Spanish club confirmed that the operation was successful on Wednesday. He is anticipated to be sidelined for up to 12 weeks during his recovery.

‎”Our player Jude Bellingham has undergone successful surgery for a recurrent left shoulder dislocation,” said Real Madrid in a statement.

‎”Bellingham will now begin a period of rehabilitation before his return to recovery work.”

‎While Madrid did not specify the expected length of his recovery time, Spanish media have reported it will take around 12 weeks for him to return to action.

‎Bellingham has been struggling with shoulder discomfort since dislocating it in a LaLiga match in November 2023, and has been playing with a brace under his shirt.

‎He chose to postpone the operation until after Madrid’s involvement in the Club World Cup this summer. During the tournament, Xabi Alonso’s side reached the semi-finals.

‎Bellingham is set to miss the LaLiga visit to face rivals Atletico Madrid in late September, as well as the club’s first two Champions League matches.

‎The 22-year-old midfielder should be back in action by the time Madrid hosts Barcelona in the first Clásico 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 midfielder will also be unavailable for England’s World Cup qualifiers against Andorra on September 6 and Serbia on September 9.