By: Oluwatobi Aroyehun
Real Madrid’s star midfielder Jude Bellingham is set to miss the start of the 2025/26 La Liga season after undergoing successful surgery to repair a lingering shoulder injury.
The 22-year-old England international, who dislocated his left shoulder in a November 2023 match against Rayo Vallecano, will be out of action for three months, casting a shadow over the club’s early campaign.
Despite the injury, Bellingham showed incredible grit last season, playing through pain with his shoulder strapped to help Real Madrid clinch the 2024 UEFA Champions League.
He also starred for England at Euro 2024, where they fell to Spain in the final. However, the persistent issue finally required surgery, which was planned after the FIFA Club World Cup.
Following Madrid’s 4-0 semi-final loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the U.S., Bellingham traveled to London for the procedure. The timing couldn’t be trickier for Real Madrid, now under the guidance of manager Xabi Alonso.
The team kicks off the La Liga season against Osasuna on August 19, but their request to postpone the match due to Club World Cup commitments was turned down by La Liga officials. Bellingham’s absence means he’ll miss at least seven league games, including a blockbuster Madrid derby against Atletico on September 28.
On the international stage, England will feel the loss too. Bellingham is expected to sit out the Three Lions’ 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia in September, and he may also miss a friendly against Wales on October 9.
But for now, Real Madrid will need to dig deep as they navigate the season’s opening stretch without their dynamic midfielder. He’s expected to make his comeback in October, ready to light up the pitch once again.
