Thunderbolt at the beginning of the season: a Real Madrid star will have surgery after the Club World Cup!

In what comes as a major blow to Real Madrid’s preparations for the 2025/26 campaign, Jude Bellingham is set to undergo surgery on his left shoulder immediately after the upcoming Club World Cup in the United States, according to The Athletic. The English midfielder, who has been struggling with this recurring issue since late 2023, has finally agreed with the club to undergo the long-postponed procedure.

Bellingham first sustained the injury during a tough La Liga fixture against Rayo Vallecano in November 2023. Although he managed to complete the match, the pain and damage forced him to miss four important games for both club and country, raising concerns about his long-term fitness. Ever since, the 21-year-old has had to wear a shoulder brace in matches and training sessions to stabilize the joint.

While the club’s medical team had recommended surgery months ago, Bellingham and Real Madrid mutually decided to delay it due to the packed calendar of key fixtures, including Champions League matches and the Spanish league title race. The plan was to find the least disruptive window—something rare in a club of Real Madrid’s ambitions—and it now appears the post-Club World Cup period is the moment they’ve agreed upon.

The timing of the surgery, however, means Bellingham will almost certainly miss the beginning of the 2025/26 La Liga season. Recovery from shoulder surgery typically spans about 12 weeks, or three months, which could rule him out for all of pre-season and several early fixtures of the domestic and European campaigns.

This development comes at a delicate time for Real Madrid, with Xabi Alonso set to take over as head coach following the end of Carlo Ancelotti’s era. Losing Bellingham, arguably the club’s best midfielder since his arrival from Borussia Dortmund, is not the kind of start Alonso would have envisioned. The England international’s energy, technical brilliance, and leadership on the pitch have been central to Madrid’s recent success.

Despite the setback, Bellingham’s decision to delay the operation in order to participate in the Club World Cup demonstrates his unwavering commitment to the club. He remains eager to help Madrid secure the global title in the United States, even at the cost of pushing back his own recovery. It’s a gesture that reflects his professionalism and devotion to the badge.

The midfielder has played a pivotal role this season, contributing with goals, assists, and consistently dominating the midfield battles. Even with his shoulder issue, his performances have rarely dropped in quality, underscoring just how special a talent he is. However, Madrid understand that they must now look beyond the short term and prioritize his full recovery to avoid worsening the condition.

Club insiders believe that this plan allows Bellingham to avoid exacerbating the injury during crucial games while giving him enough time to return at full strength later in the season. Medical experts at the club are confident he will regain complete mobility and strength post-surgery, and they expect him to return better than ever.

Madrid fans, while disappointed by the prospect of missing their star man early next season, will likely appreciate his sacrifice to push through the Club World Cup before undergoing surgery. His influence and maturity at such a young age continue to make him a fan favorite at the Santiago Bernabéu.

The coming months will test Real Madrid’s squad depth, as well as Xabi Alonso’s tactical ingenuity, as the team begins a new chapter without their midfield linchpin. Bellingham’s absence will surely be felt, but the club is determined to support him through this period and ensure a strong return once he’s fully fit.

For now, the focus remains on one last push with Bellingham at the heart of it—aiming to conquer the world before letting him heal and come back even stronger.