Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham has confirmed that he will undergo surgery to address a lingering shoulder issue following the conclusion of the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States. The 21-year-old England international has been managing discomfort in his left shoulder since dislocating it in a La Liga match against Rayo Vallecano in November 2023. Since then, he has been playing with a brace under his shirt to protect the area.

Bellingham revealed his decision after Real Madrid's 3-1 victory over Mexico's Pachuca in the Club World Cup. He explained that he has reached his limit with the brace. He told DAZN that he was fed up with the brace and having other players tugging on it, which constantly rearranged it. He is ready to have a free shoulder and free body. The surgery is scheduled a few days after the final.

The decision to undergo surgery comes after months of managing the injury with a shoulder support. While the medical team had recommended surgery earlier, the packed football calendar, including the desire to compete in the Club World Cup, delayed the procedure. Bellingham also played an instrumental role in getting England to the final in Euro 2024.

The recovery period following the surgery is estimated to be up to 12 weeks. This timeline suggests that Bellingham could miss a significant portion of Real Madrid's preseason and potentially the opening fixtures of the 2025-26 La Liga season. Furthermore, he may also be unavailable for England's World Cup qualifiers in September against Andorra and Serbia.

Real Madrid will closely monitor Bellingham's recovery, hoping for his swift return to full form. His absence will test the squad's depth and force new manager Xabi Alonso to reshape the midfield for the early fixtures of the La Liga season. Despite the setback, Bellingham remains optimistic and focused on a complete recovery. He has been a key figure for Real Madrid since joining from Borussia Dortmund in 2023, showcasing his talent with impressive goal-scoring and assist numbers.