Star midfielder has played through pain for months, but surgery now looks inevitable
Jude Bellingham has dazzled fans across Spain—and indeed Europe—since his blockbuster arrival at Real Madrid in the summer of 2023. Goals, assists, charisma, and leadership have all poured from the boots of the Birmingham-born sensation. But while much of the footballing world has been dazzled by the 20-year-old’s meteoric rise, a more private and painful story has quietly unfolded behind the scenes.
For months now, Bellingham has been battling a persistent shoulder injury. The same one that saw him crash to the turf awkwardly during a 0–0 draw with Rayo Vallecano in November 2023. At the time, manager Carlo Ancelotti played down concerns, calling it “nothing serious,” and Bellingham seemed to agree—missing just one La Liga match before returning to score against Cádiz.
But the truth is more complicated.
Playing Through the Pain: A Season Defined by Strapping and Grit
Since that night in Vallecas, Bellingham has not played a single match without his heavily strapped right shoulder. The white tape, now as much a part of his kit as his boots, has become an uncomfortable symbol of his ongoing battle with an injury that refuses to heal.
According to Spanish sports daily MARCA, Real Madrid are now actively planning to send Bellingham for surgery this summer in order to fix the underlying issue once and for all. The timing could prove tricky, with the club still juggling multiple competitions—including the brand new and much-hyped FIFA Club World Cup—but both parties appear to be aligned: it’s time to address the problem.
“He’s a warrior,” said a club source quoted in MARCA. “But there’s only so long you can tape over a problem.”
A Long-Awaited Break Could Finally Bring Relief
One of the key reasons Bellingham hasn’t gone under the knife sooner is his schedule. Between Real Madrid’s fixture congestion and England’s long run to the final of Euro 2024, the young midfielder has had no extended break in which to properly treat the shoulder. Now, with no major international tournaments this summer, the stars may finally be aligning.
The Club World Cup looms large, of course. Real Madrid enter the competition on June 18, taking on Al Hilal in the first round of what could be a month-long journey if they reach the final. But with La Liga concluding in late May, Bellingham would still have a small post-season window in which surgery could be scheduled.
The NHS Perspective: What Recovery Might Look Like
Shoulder stabilisation surgery is not typically career-threatening, but it’s also not a procedure to be taken lightly. According to the NHS, patients generally need to wear a sling for the first four weeks after surgery. That period is followed by a gradual programme of physiotherapy, mobility training, and strength building. In footballing terms, a conservative estimate would put a return to full-contact play at around 10 to 12 weeks post-op—perhaps longer if complications arise.
In Bellingham’s case, that could mean missing much—if not all—of Madrid’s pre-season and potentially the opening matches of the 2025/26 campaign. But with the long-term picture in mind, that seems a price worth paying.
Carlo Ancelotti’s Balancing Act
Carlo Ancelotti has played this one carefully. Never one to stoke panic in the press room, the Italian coach has repeatedly downplayed the severity of Bellingham’s condition. After the initial injury, he said it would be “monitored, but not a concern.” Even after Bellingham appeared to suffer a partial dislocation during a game against Espanyol earlier this season, Ancelotti resisted calls to sideline his star midfielder.
Still, his language has shifted ever so slightly in recent weeks.
“I don’t think it will be a problem, although it must be taken care of, obviously,” Ancelotti said after that Espanyol match—suggesting that even he now recognises the need for a more permanent solution.
Privately, the club are said to be united in backing surgery. And Bellingham himself, ever the consummate professional, is understood to be ready to go under the knife—if only to get back to 100% for the long term.
More Than Just a Midfielder
It’s easy to forget, amid the goals and galas, that Jude Bellingham is still just 20 years old. He has played an extraordinary number of minutes for club and country in the last three years, often carrying the weight of expectation on both shoulders—now, quite literally, just one.
His influence at Real Madrid has been transformative. Whether deployed as a free-roaming No.10, a box-to-box engine, or a deeper playmaker, Bellingham has injected new life into Los Blancos’ midfield. He’s brought goals, yes—but also energy, work rate, and an infectious belief.
That makes managing his health all the more vital.
Looking Ahead: Madrid’s Midfield Puzzle
If Bellingham is unavailable for the start of next season, Real Madrid will need to plan carefully. Toni Kroos and Luka Modrić are edging ever closer to the twilight of their illustrious careers. Eduardo Camavinga and Aurélien Tchouaméni are more naturally suited to deeper roles. Federico Valverde, while tireless and versatile, doesn’t quite possess Bellingham’s instinct for goals.
Whether Madrid dip into the transfer market or reshuffle from within remains to be seen, but there’s no denying that Bellingham has quickly become central to how this team functions. His absence—even for a month or two—will be felt.
The Bigger Picture: Longevity Over Heroics
For Bellingham, this summer represents a chance not just to fix a shoulder, but to reset his body after an intense few years. It’s also a reminder of the fine line between being heroic and being healthy. Football culture often praises those who play through pain, but sometimes the braver choice is to rest, recover, and come back stronger.
Real Madrid appear to have reached that conclusion. And for a player of Bellingham’s stature and importance, it’s the only logical move.
If all goes well, Jude Bellingham will return next season with both shoulders strong and both boots ready to resume what already promises to be one of the most glittering careers in recent memory.
And with his shoulder no longer needing to be wrapped in white tape every weekend, maybe—just maybe—we’ll be seeing an even better version of Jude Bellingham in 2025.
