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After nearly two years of playing through pain, Jude Bellingham will undergo long-postponed shoulder surgery once Real Madrid’s Club World Cup campaign ends — a crucial decision with major implications for the club’s 2025–26 season.
4 minutes
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Jude Bellingham has finally made his decision. Once Real Madrid’s FIFA Club World Cup journey comes to an end, the English star will undergo long-postponed shoulder surgery. The decision marks both a personal relief and a significant absence for Real Madrid at the start of the 2025–26 season.
The shoulder issue first emerged in November 2023, during Bellingham’s debut season with Real Madrid. He dislocated his shoulder during a match, suffering a serious injury. While surgery was presented as an option by medical staff at the time, Bellingham chose to manage the injury on the pitch instead. Undergoing surgery then would have meant missing both club fixtures and Euro 2024. For nearly two years, he continued his professional career with severe pain and a stabilising brace on his shoulder.
Yet this gruelling period didn’t hinder his performance. Bellingham played a pivotal role in Real Madrid’s 2023–24 La Liga, UEFA Champions League, and Spanish Super Cup triumphs. He was also central to England’s run to the Euro 2024 final. He achieved all of this while playing with a brace that limited every movement in his left shoulder.
Speaking to Managing Madrid after a 3–1 victory over Pachuca at the Club World Cup, Bellingham made it clear that he could no longer endure the situation. His words were firm:
“I’ve learned how to manage the pain, but I’m tired of playing with this brace. I lose so much weight from sweating because of it, and it’s affecting my performance. I’ll have surgery after this tournament. I’ve been waiting a long time and I’ve run out of patience. But the doctors and physios have been incredibly supportive.”
Following assessments with Real Madrid’s medical and technical teams, Bellingham is set to undergo surgery immediately after the Club World Cup. According to Managing Madrid, the operation is expected to sideline the English midfielder for approximately three months.
Recovery from shoulder surgery usually takes 10 to 12 weeks for professional athletes. Bellingham’s youth and high level of muscular development could help accelerate the rehabilitation process. However, a carefully managed physical re-adaptation phase will be necessary before he can return to full-contact football.
Xabi Alonso’s tactical approach relies on intense pressing in the middle and aggressive pressure in the second third. Within this structure, Bellingham’s box-to-box influence, ball-winning ability, and penalty-area runs were critical. In his absence, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Eduardo Camavinga may be tasked with more defensive midfield roles, while Arda Güler could take on a more creative position further up the pitch.
This is a significant loss for Alonso. Bellingham has been one of the team’s most productive playmakers and reliable scorers. So far in the 2024–25 season, the English midfielder has made 54 appearances across all competitions, contributing 15 goals and 14 assists. These figures underline his impact even while playing through physical limitations.
Now it’s time to rebuild his trademark energy and drive — this time on a healthier foundation. Bellingham is eager to move past a physically and mentally draining period. His interview words make that desire crystal clear:
“All I want is to feel free. To run without a brace, to play without pain, to think clearly, to trust my body again.”
Real Madrid fully supports the player’s decision to undergo surgery. The club’s medical team is already preparing to ensure a smooth recovery process and a timely return for the new season.
Still only 21 years old, Bellingham is preparing to leave behind a chronic issue that has shadowed his rise. Though he’ll be off the pitch for a while, the surgery could mark the beginning of a more fearless and physically liberated chapter in his career.