Real Madrid’s early-season optimism has taken a hit with the news that Jude Bellingham is facing a significant spell on the sidelines. The 22-year-old England international, a driving force in midfield, has undergone surgery to address a long-standing shoulder injury, casting doubt over his participation in the first El Clasico of the season. The official timeline for his return has been revealed, but the wait for his teammates Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius could feel much longer.
Bellingham first injured his left shoulder in November 2023 during a clash with Rayo Vallecano. Rather than undergoing surgery immediately, he played on through pain for more than 100 matches, often wearing a heavily strapped brace beneath his shirt.
The breaking point came after Real Madrid’s FIFA Club World Cup semi-final exit to Paris Saint-Germain, where the discomfort had become too much to manage. On July 16, 2025, he went under the knife in a minimally invasive procedure designed to correct recurring dislocations. “This type of injury requires patience, the steps should not be burned,” a source close to the club told Diario AS.
The Englishman’s rehab began with a month-long immobilization in a sling, followed by a special recovery program aimed at rebuilding strength and mobility without risking re-injury. The player initially began his rehabilitation in Jamaica, balancing physiotherapy sessions with time spent with family before returning to Madrid for the next phase of treatment.
Manager Xabi Alonso now faces the challenge of reshaping his midfield without one of Europe’s most complete all-rounders. With Eduardo Camavinga also temporarily sidelined through injury, Alonso’s options are limited to Arda Güler, Fede Valverde, Dani Ceballos, and Aurelien Tchouameni, with occasional experiments involving David Alaba in midfield.
Return timeline confirmed
After weeks of uncertainty, the curtain has finally lifted on Bellingham’s return schedule: end of October 2025, provided there are no setbacks, as per Diario AS. This date aligns with the tail end of the Champions League group stage but still leaves his Clasico participation hanging in the balance.
This extended timeline means he will miss the La Liga opener against Osasuna, the Madrid derby in September, and—critically—could also be absent for the first Clasico of the season against Barcelona. If all goes according to plan, he could be back just in time for England’s November World Cup 2026 Qualifiers, a boost for Thomas Tuchel as much as for Real Madrid.
