Jude Bellingham has endured a difficult season, with Real Madrid having failed to win a major honour, with the England international finally set to undergo surgery to fix a shoulder injury
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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 11: Jude Bellingham of Real Madrid looks dejected during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Knockout Play-off first leg match between Manchester City and Real Madrid C.F. at Manchester City Stadium on February 11, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey - Danehouse/Getty Images)
Jude Bellingham is set to be sidelined for months following a surgery scheduled for this summer
(Image: Alex Livesey - Danehouse/Getty Images)
Jude Bellingham is facing months on the sidelines with the Real Madrid star to undergo surgery on a shoulder problem this summer. Bellingham has starred at the Bernabeu since moving to the Spanish capital in the summer of 2023.
He was named La Liga's player of the year as Los Blancos won the Spanish top-flight and the Champions League in his first season. This campaign has been more difficult for Carlo Ancelotti's side, with Bellingham also enduring a downturn in form.
Ancelotti is set to leave Madrid at the end of the season, with Xabi Alonso taking his place. Alonso is expected to be in the hotseat for the Club World Cup, which gets underway in the middle of June.
Madrid are aiming to win the tournament in the United States, having failed to lift a major trophy so far this term. Bellingham will be able to play in that tournament, but Alonso will be forced to do without him for the start of the new season.
Bellingham has suffered a number of injury issues in recent seasons. One of his most troublesome problems has been with his shoulder, which he dislocated in a game against Rayo Vallecano in November 2023.
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The England international has since frequently worn shoulder protection. According to The Athletic, Madrid's medical team have now decided to send Bellingham for surgery this summer to finally fix the problem.
Los Blancos chiefs have known since October that Bellingham would require surgery at some point to ensure the shoulder heals properly, and to avoid a high risk of further dislocations. The busy calendar has not yet provided the time needed for the procedure to take place.
It is expected that Bellingham will be sidelined for 12 weeks while he recovers, with Madrid already planning for him to miss the start of next season. Bellingham has made 51 appearances this season, scoring 14 goals and notching 14 assists.
Jude Bellingham central midfield of Real Madrid and England hurts his armduring the La Liga EA Sports match between Real Madrid CF and UD Las Palmas at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on January 19, 2025 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Bellingham has experienced problems with a shoulder issue since November 2023
His focus is now on the Club World Cup, with Madrid facing Al Hilal, Pachuca and Red Bull Salzburg in Group H. The 21-year-old is desperate to win the tournament to bring some light to a desperate campaign.
“We have the opportunity to win a different kind of title, really. I think that's the truth: trying to be the first club to win it . Obviously, Real Madrid deserves that kind of recognition," he said.
"But I also think it's being able to play somewhere I haven't played regularly, in the United States, and also playing against opponents I wouldn't normally get the chance to play against. So, I definitely think there are a lot of positives to it.
"We're all interested to see what it's all about and how important it becomes going forward, and in this case, how many teams really push themselves. We're interested to see the dynamics of the tournament. But for us, like I said, it's a chance to win another title.
"It's a chance to be the first to win it, and it's not something we take lightly . So it's a bit historic, and like I've said, there aren't many things you can do at this club that haven't been done before. So it's good to have another opportunity."
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