Jude Bellingham to miss start of season after shoulder surgery

Real Madrid and England midfielder Jude Bellingham is expected to be sidelined for at least the first six weeks of the upcoming football season due to scheduled shoulder surgery. The 21-year-old, who has been managing a recurring shoulder issue since 2023, will undergo the operation after participating in the expanded Club World Cup this summer in the United States.

Bellingham’s shoulder problems began following an injury against Rayo Vallecano last year, which initially forced him to miss two matches for both Real Madrid and the England national team.

Since then, he has consistently worn protective strapping during matches. Real Madrid has decided to delay the surgery until after the Club World Cup, which runs from June 15 to July 13, to ensure his availability for the tournament.

The injury and subsequent operation mean Bellingham will miss Real Madrid’s entire preseason and at least the first month and a half of the new campaign.

As a result, he is also expected to be unavailable for England’s World Cup qualifiers in September against Andorra and Serbia. This development could influence the squad selection of England head coach Thomas Tuchel, who is set to announce his picks for June’s qualifiers and friendly matches later this week.

Despite the injury challenges, Bellingham made a significant impact during his debut season in Spain after joining Real Madrid from Borussia Dortmund in a £115 million deal.

He played a key role in helping the team secure both the La Liga title and the Champions League, scoring 23 goals in 43 appearances.

However, his second season has been less prolific. Bellingham has managed just 14 goals in 52 games, as Real Madrid lost the domestic title to Barcelona and exited the Champions League at the quarter-final stage following defeat to Arsenal. His dip in form has coincided with his ongoing injury troubles, reinforcing the club’s decision to prioritize long-term fitness with the planned surgery.

The decision also raises questions about how national team selections will be handled for players participating in the Club World Cup.

With the expanded tournament taking place during the offseason, several key players, including Bellingham, may face a tight turnaround and limited recovery time ahead of the new season and international fixtures.