Jude Bellingham could miss up to four England games after finally undergoing surgery to fix the shoulder issue that has plagued him in recent months. The Real Madrid star, 22, will miss the start of the new season after going under the knife in London on Wednesday. If Bellingham is, as expected, absent for at least the first six weeks of the 2025-26 campaign, then he will not feature in England’s next batch of fixtures.
Thomas Tuchel’s side has World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia in September, which Bellingham will miss. He could also be absent from games against Wales and Latvia the following month, depending on his recovery.
It emerged back in May that Bellingham would undergo shoulder surgery after featuring in the Club World Cup for Real Madrid. Los Blancos confirmed yesterday that the midfield maestro’s surgery was completed, though they declined to specify how long they expect the former Borussia Dortmund star to be sidelined. It’s understood that Bellingham is targeting a return to action in October. Real Madrid kicks off the new La Liga campaign at home to Osasuna on 19 August.
Xabi Alonso’s side was eliminated from the Club World Cup at the semi-final stage after succumbing to the newly minted European champions, Paris Saint-Germain. Bellingham played in all six of Real’s games at the tournament. He has been dogged by issues since originally dislocating his left shoulder in a La Liga fixture with Rayo Vallecano back in November 2023.
Speaking last month ahead of the Club World Cup in the United States, Bellingham confirmed to reporters that he would soon go under the knife. After the tournament, I have surgery scheduled, and I’m looking forward to that next step. The support I’ve received from the physicians and physiotherapists has been incredible; their expertise has been invaluable. Still, I can’t help but yearn for the freedom that comes with healing, especially after such a long wait where my patience has been tested.”
