After spending nearly two years toughing it out on the pitch, Jude Bellingham has finally taken the step fans—and probably his body—have long been waiting for.
The Real Madrid and England star underwent shoulder surgery this week to fix a long-standing injury he’s been carrying since late 2023.
Injury Traced Back to 2023 Fall in LaLiga Clash
The shoulder problem began back in November 2023, when Bellingham took a nasty fall during a LaLiga match against Rayo Vallecano.
That awkward landing led to a dislocation, and though many players would’ve headed straight to the operating room, Bellingham chose to soldier on.
Why the delay? The short answer: timing. With the Euros looming last summer and Real Madrid chasing international glory at the Club World Cup, the midfielder kept pushing the surgery down the line.
Playing in Pain Becomes a Routine
Over the past year, fans often saw Bellingham with his shoulder heavily strapped—a clear sign that he was managing pain every time he stepped onto the field.
Just last month, he opened up about his frustration, saying he was “tired of playing with the sling” and ready to feel “free” again.
That day finally came this week.
Successful Surgery and a Positive Outlook
Bellingham posted a selfie from his hospital bed last Friday, smiling in a patient gown with his arm resting in a sling.
Alongside the photo, he thanked the medical team at Fortius Clinic and expressed gratitude for the flood of support from fans.
“The process to come back has already started,” he wrote. “See you soon.”
England teammate Morgan Rogers quickly dropped a heartfelt comment, calling him “my brother” with a few love-heart emojis.
Real Madrid Stays Quiet on Return Date
Real Madrid hasn’t provided a specific timeline for Bellingham’s return, but reports suggest he’ll be out until at least October.
That means missing a significant chunk of early-season action—including the first eight La Liga games and Madrid’s first two Champions League fixtures.
The club did confirm that the procedure was carried out by specialists Dr. Manuel Leyes and Dr. Andrew Wallace, under the watchful eye of their medical staff.
Bellingham’s rehab has already begun, starting with a minimum of one month of keeping his shoulder stable in a sling.
What’s on Hold for Club and Country
His absence will also affect England’s plans.
Bellingham is likely to miss the September and October international breaks, including matchups against Serbia and Andorra.
If all goes well, his return could line up with Real Madrid’s league game against Getafe on October 19, right after the international window.
Bellingham’s Recent Contributions Before Surgery
Even while managing his injury, Bellingham played a pivotal role for Madrid.
He featured in all six of their Club World Cup matches this summer, scoring once and providing an assist to help his team reach the semi-finals.
Last season, he notched an impressive 15 goals and 15 assists across all competitions.
What’s Next?
Now that the surgery’s done, the focus turns to recovery.
With Bellingham finally putting his long-term health first, fans will be hoping he comes back stronger—and pain-free.
For now, he’ll be watching from the sidelines, but all eyes will be on his comeback, expected just as the season starts to heat up.