Jude Bellingham was forced off with a hamstring injury during Real Madrid's 2-1 win against Rayo Vallecano on Sunday, sparking fears that he could miss the World Cup
MADRID, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 01: Jude Bellingham of Real Madrid goes down with an injury during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Real Madrid CF and Rayo Vallecano de Madrid at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on February 01, 2026 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
Jude Bellingham picked up an injury on Sunday(Image: Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
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Jude Bellingham has issued a three-word update on his road to recovery from a hamstring injury. England star Bellingham went down in the eighth minute of Real Madrid's clash with Rayo Vallecano on Sunday and was quickly subbed off.
Bellingham walked down the tunnel in tears after receiving treatment on his left hamstring. The midfielder is now expected to be out for four weeks, missing Real's crucial Champions League play-off tie against Benfica.
On the England front, Bellingham should be fit in time for the Three Lions' two friendlies against Uruguay and Japan at the end of March, long before the start of the World Cup in June. The 22-year-old has now taken to social media to give fans an update.
Bellingham posted a selfie while wearing an oxygen mask on his app, JB5. The ex-Borussia Dortmund star wrote as the caption: "Life goes on."
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After Real won 2-1 thanks to a late Kylian Mbappe penalty, boss Alvaro Arbeloa admitted that he 'didn't know' anything about Bellingham's injury at the time. The club subsequently published a medical report on their website on Monday.
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 suggest a four-week timeframe for his recovery. Bellingham has only played twice for England this season, having been included in just one of their three squads.
For September's matches, the Birmingham City academy graduate was still getting back to full fitness following surgery on his shoulder. But when it was time for Thomas Tuchel to announce his next set of call-ups, Bellingham notably wasn't included.
Jude Bellingham selfie
Jude Bellingham posted a selfie on his app(Image: JB5)
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Jude Bellingham of Real Madrid is injured on the ground during the LaLiga EA Sports football match between Real Madrid CF and Rayo Vallecano de Madrid at Estadio Bernabeu in Madrid, Spain, on February 01, 2026. (Photo by Alberto Gardin/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
He's expected to return in four weeks' time(Image: Alberto Gardin/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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In November, with England having already secured qualification for the World Cup the previous month, Bellingham returned to the fold. He started the Three Lions' 2-0 win away to Albania before suffering backlash for his moody reaction to being substituted by Tuchel.
"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."