Jude Bellingham was forced off with a hamstring injury during Real Madrid's 2-1 win over Rayo Vallecano on Sunday and has now taken to social media to provide an update on his condition
Nathan Ridley
10:24, 04 Feb 2026
Jude Bellingham has picked up an injury
Jude Bellingham has picked up an injury(Image: Getty Images)
Real Madrid superstar Jude Bellingham has shared a three-word message regarding his recovery from a hamstring problem.
The England midfielder collapsed in the eighth minute of Madrid's La Liga fixture against Rayo Vallecano on Sunday and was promptly withdrawn. He joins Trent Alexander-Arnold on Madrid's injury list; the former Liverpool vice-captain is still working his way back to full fitness from a thigh injury.
Bellingham departed the pitch in distress following treatment to his left hamstring. The player is anticipated to be sidelined for four weeks, ruling him out of Real's vital Champions League playoff encounter with Benfica later this month.
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Regarding England duties, Bellingham is expected to return in time for the Three Lions' pair of friendlies against Uruguay and Japan at the conclusion of March, well ahead of the World Cup commencing in June.
The 22-year-old has now used social media to provide supporters with an update. Bellingham shared a photograph of himself donning an oxygen mask on his platform, JB5. The former Borussia Dortmund player captioned it: "Life goes on."
Following Real's 2-1 victory courtesy of a late Kylian Mbappe spot-kick, manager Alvaro Arbeloa confessed he was unaware of Bellingham's condition at that moment. The club later released a medical statement on their website on Monday.
Bellingham is expected to miss around a month of action
Bellingham is expected to miss around a month of action(Image: Getty Images)
It read: "Following tests carried out today on our player Jude Bellingham by the Real Madrid Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with an injury to the semitendinosus muscle in his left leg. Awaiting evolution."
Reports from Spain indicate a four-week recovery period for his return to action. Bellingham has featured just twice for England this season, having been selected in only one of the country's three squads.
During September's fixtures, the Birmingham City academy product was still working his way back to peak condition following shoulder surgery. However, when Thomas Tuchel named his subsequent call-ups, Bellingham was conspicuously absent.
Come November, with England having already sealed World Cup qualification the month prior, Bellingham was recalled to the setup.
He featured from the start in the Three Lions' 2-0 victory in Albania before facing criticism for his petulant response to being withdrawn by Tuchel.
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"That is a decision and he has to accept the decision," the England manager said post-match. "His friend is waiting on the sidelines. Accept it, respect it and keep on going."
Tuchel added: "I will need to review it and I saw he was not happy. I do not want to make it bigger at the moment than it is. Players like Jude are so competitive, they will never like it.
"My word stands; it is about standards and a level It is a commitment and respect to each other. We will not change our decision because someone waves their arms."