Jude Bellingham has been included in Real Madrid’s squad for Tuesday’s Champions League opener against Marseille, marking his return after a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
The England midfielder underwent surgery in July to fix a long-standing shoulder issue that had troubled him since 2023, when he dislocated it during a match against Rayo Vallecano.
The 22-year-old has not featured since the FIFA Club World Cup earlier in the summer, but made his comeback to training last week.
Head coach Xabi Alonso has now confirmed his place in the 23-man squad for the fixture at the Santiago Bernabéu, a boost for Real as they begin their European campaign.
Bellingham, who joined Madrid from Borussia Dortmund in a £115m transfer two years ago, enjoyed a remarkable debut season by winning both La Liga and the Champions League while scoring 23 goals in 43 appearances.
Last season, however, his form dipped slightly, with 15 goals in 58 matches as Real Madrid surrendered the domestic title to Barcelona and suffered a Champions League quarter-final exit to Arsenal.
Another English star, Trent Alexander-Arnold, has also been named in the squad.
The former Liverpool defender came off the bench in Real’s 2-1 victory over Real Sociedad at the weekend but continues to face stiff competition from club captain Dani Carvajal for a regular starting spot at right-back.
Alonso praised Carvajal’s role in the team, describing him as a leader with a competitive spirit that lifts those around him.
The Real Madrid boss stressed the importance of having experienced figures in the dressing room to guide younger players, noting Carvajal’s influence as a captain and role model.
With Bellingham returning and Alexander-Arnold pushing for more minutes, Madrid’s squad looks strengthened ahead of their clash with Marseille.
The Spanish giants will be aiming for a strong start in Group F as they bid to reclaim the European crown they lost last season.
Other UCL games on Tuesday will see Athletic Club face Arsenal, Juventus vs Dortmund, and Tottenham hosting Villarreal, amongst others.
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