Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham shows off shoulder surgery scar as England international prepares to sit out start of 2025-26 campaign

England international Bellingham has finally addressed a long-standing injury issue. He first dislocated his shoulder during his debut campaign as a ‘Galactico’ at Santiago Bernabeu in November 2023 during a meeting with Rayo Vallecano.

The 22-year-old midfielder has been playing through pain since then, with custom strapping having to be worn when taking to the field for club and country. Bellingham admitted at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup that he was being left with no option but to go under the knife.

That procedure has taken place, with Real Madrid announcing that it had been a success. The Blancos added that: “Bellingham will now undergo a period of rehabilitation, prior to returning to training and starting his recovery.”

No official timescale has been put on Bellingham’s recovery, but it has been suggested that he could be sidelined for up to 12 weeks. That will rule him out of La Liga and Champions League action with Real, as well as 2026 World Cup qualifiers with England.

Bellingham’s scar appears to be healing well, having left his shoulder uncovered when posing for pictures with supporters, but a lengthy period of rehabilitation is required in order to put long-running fitness issues behind him.