Bellingham Undergoes Successful Surgery to Correct Injury Sustained Since 2023

England and Real Madrid star midfielder Jude Bellingham has undergone successful surgery to correct a long-standing shoulder injury that has troubled him since 2023, the Spanish club confirmed on Thursday.

The 22-year-old is now expected to be sidelined for the entirety of Real Madrid’s pre-season preparations and at least the first six weeks of the new campaign. This timeline will also see Bellingham miss England’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia in September.

Bellingham’s shoulder issues began after he dislocated it during a La Liga clash with Rayo Vallecano in November 2023. Since then, he has managed the condition by wearing protective strapping, but told reporters in June that he had grown weary of “playing with a sling.”

Real Madrid scheduled the surgery to take place after the Club World Cup in the United States, where the Spanish giants were knocked out in the semi-finals by Paris Saint-Germain last week.

A club statement noted that Bellingham will now begin a “period of rehabilitation” before returning to full training. The timeline for his comeback remains tentative, but early estimates suggest he may return by October.

Under new manager Xabi Alonso, Real Madrid will open their 2025/26 La Liga campaign at home against Osasuna on August 19. Bellingham’s absence will pose an early challenge for Alonso as he navigates his debut season at the helm.

Since his £115 million move from Borussia Dortmund in 2023, Bellingham has been instrumental for Los Blancos. In his debut season, he helped lead the team to both La Liga and UEFA Champions League titles, scoring 23 goals in 43 appearances across all competitions.

Fans and teammates alike will be hoping for a swift and full recovery for the young Englishman, whose dynamic presence in midfield has quickly made him a fan favourite at the Santiago Bernabéu.