Real Madrid and England midfielder Jude Bellingham has successfully undergone surgery for a long-standing shoulder issue.
The procedure means the 22-year-old will miss Real Madrid’s entire pre-season and at least the first six weeks of the upcoming campaign.
This will include England’s World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia in September.
Bellingham has battled the shoulder problem since dislocating it in 2023 against Rayo Vallecano, even expressing his frustration at “playing with the sling.” Real Madrid opted for surgery after their Club World Cup matches in the US.
The absence of Bellingham, a key player who scored 23 goals in his debut season helping Real win La Liga and the Champions League, is a significant blow for new manager Xabi Alonso ahead of their La Liga opener against Osasuna on August 19th.
Bellingham will now begin rehabilitation with a focus on a safe return to play.
