The surgery was authorized by the medical department and should take place a few days after the Club World Cup
Jude Bellingham, a central figure in Real Madrid’s midfield, confirmed that he will undergo surgery on his left shoulder shortly after the club’s participation in the Club World Cup. The procedure aims to end a physical discomfort that has been with him since November 2023, when he suffered a dislocation during a match against Rayo Vallecano, in the Guia Rápido do Campeonato Espanhol.
Now 21 years old, the English player continued to play despite persistent pain, using special protection in the affected area. According to him, the support of the medical team was essential to keep him on the field over the last year and a half. “I’m going to have surgery on my shoulder after the Club World Cup. I’m losing patience and I just want it to be over,” said the midfielder after the 3-1 victory over Pachuca, in Charlotte, United States. The surgery was authorized by the club’s medical department and should take place a few days after the end of the international competition.
The European press reports that Bellingham will be out for approximately three months, which will keep him out of Real Madrid’s entire pre-season and the first few weeks of the new campaign — both for the club and the English national team. Despite his physical limitations, Bellingham continued to contribute significantly. In the match against Pachuca, valid for the knockout phase of the World Cup, he scored the first goal and was named man of the match. Since joining Real Madrid two years ago, the Englishman has scored 38 goals in 96 matches and has already lifted five trophies, including the Champions League for the 2023/24 season.
Meanwhile, the match was also marked by an unfortunate episode. In the second-half stoppage time, defender Antonio Rüdiger accused Pachuca’s Gustavo Cabral of racial abuse. After an argument between the players, the German defender reported the incident to Brazilian referee Ramon Abatti Abel, who immediately activated FIFA’s anti-racist protocol with a crossed-arms gesture. Even though the offense was not flagrant, the measure was recorded in accordance with the organization’s regulations.
In a press conference after the game, Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso expressed his full support for his player. “It is part of FIFA’s protocol to investigate what happened and take action. It is unacceptable. There is no tolerance for this in football, we will take the appropriate measures,” said the coach.
