Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham is set to miss up to 12 weeks of action after successfully undergoing surgery to treat a recurrent left shoulder dislocation, the Spanish club confirmed on Wednesday.
“Our player Jude Bellingham has undergone successful surgery for a recurrent left shoulder dislocation,” read the official statement from Real Madrid. “Bellingham will now begin a period of rehabilitation prior to his return to recovery work.”
Surgery Timing and Expected Recovery
While Real Madrid did not disclose a specific timeline for Bellingham’s return, multiple Spanish media outlets report that the England international is expected to be sidelined for approximately three months.
Bellingham first sustained the injury in November 2023 during a La Liga clash, and has since played while wearing a shoulder brace under his jersey. The 22-year-old delayed surgery until after Madrid’s campaign in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, where they reached the semi-finals.
Matches Bellingham Will Miss
Due to the surgery and subsequent recovery, Bellingham will miss:
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The Madrid derby against Atletico Madrid in late September
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Real Madrid’s first two UEFA Champions League group stage matches
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England’s World Cup qualifiers against Andorra (Sept. 6) and Serbia (Sept. 9)
If his rehabilitation goes as planned, Bellingham is expected to return in time for the season’s first El Clasico against Barcelona in late October at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Bellingham: “I’m Fed Up With the Brace”
Speaking during the Club World Cup, Bellingham admitted the ongoing discomfort had become unbearable:
“I’ve got to 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,” he said.
Looking Ahead
Bellingham’s absence will be a significant blow for Real Madrid and England, especially given his pivotal role in both setups. However, the decision to undergo surgery now ensures a full recovery ahead of the crucial stages of the 2025/26 season and the build-up to UEFA Euro 2026.
