After months of pushing through pain on the pitch, Jude Bellingham has finally undergone surgery on the shoulder injury that’s been bothering him since late 2023.
And while it’s good news that the surgery went well, it does mean the Real Madrid star will be sitting out the start of the new season.
A Lingering Injury From a Tough Fall
The issue dates back to November 2023, when Bellingham landed awkwardly during a LaLiga match against Rayo Vallecano and dislocated his left shoulder.
Despite the severity of the injury, he held off on surgery at the time—choosing instead to keep playing with heavy strapping and a sling to keep things stable.
Last month, he even admitted he was “tired of playing with the sling,” a clear sign that the situation had gone on long enough.
Real Madrid Confirms Successful Surgery
On Tuesday, Real Madrid announced that Bellingham had finally gone under the knife.
In their brief statement, the club confirmed that the surgery was necessary to “address recurrent dislocation of his left shoulder” and that the procedure was successful.
They added that Bellingham will now begin a rehabilitation program before returning to full training.
While the team didn’t offer an official return date, Spanish media reports suggest he could be out for two to three months.
Big Games He’ll Likely Miss
Unfortunately for Madrid fans, this timeline means Bellingham is set to miss the start of LaLiga, with their opening game against Osasuna scheduled for August 19.
He’s also likely to sit out some early Champions League group-stage matches.
For England, it’s also a blow. He’s expected to miss the Three Lions’ World Cup qualifying fixtures in September, including games against Andorra and Serbia.
A Strong First Season Despite the Setback
Despite dealing with the shoulder issue for much of last season, Bellingham still delivered impressive numbers.
In his second season with Madrid since arriving from Borussia Dortmund, the 21-year-old midfielder scored 15 goals across 58 appearances.
Even though Madrid came up short in both LaLiga—losing the title to Barcelona—and the Champions League, where they were knocked out in the quarter-finals by Arsenal, Bellingham’s impact on the team was undeniable.