Jude Bellingham: Real Madrid star due to miss three months after summer shoulder surgery | OneFootball

The midfielder could miss key England World Cup qualifiers

Jude Bellingham is set to miss the start of the 2025-26 La Liga season as he is expected to undergo shoulder surgery this summer.

The 21-year-old has been carrying an issue since he dislocated his shoulder while facing Rayo Vallecano in 2023. The injury saw him sidelined for four matches, including England’s Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia, but is still causing problems.

According to reports in The Athletic, Bellingham is due to undergo surgery after this summer’s Club World Cup to correct the problem.

The procedure is intended to prevent future dislocations and is expected to come with a 12-week recovery period, casting doubt on his involvement in the early stages of Real’s 2025-26 La Liga campaign. He may also be sidelined for the September and October international breaks, where England are due to play four World Cup qualifiers against Andorra, Serbia, Wales, and Latvia.

It is understood that Bellingham suffered with similar shoulder issues while playing for Borussia Dortmund, where he spent three years before moving to the Spanish capital in 2023. He regularly plays while wearing a shoulder brace.

Real Madrid’s Club World Cup campaign will get underway on June 18, with Los Blancos set to face Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal in Miami in their debut tie. The final will take place on July 13 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

Bellignham has made 51 appearances for Real Madrid this season as they are set to finish second in La Liga and failed to win the Copa del Rey or Champions League.

He has struggled to hit the same heights this season as he did in 2023-24, when he scored 14 goals in 52 appearances, and sees the summer competition as an opportunity for redemption.

He told Mundo Deportivo: “The Club World Cup is important. It’s another title we hope to win.

“It’s the team and the club’s dream, and it’s important for us after a weak season.”