Jude Bellingham targeting October return following shoulder surgery

Jude Bellingham is scheduled to undergo shoulder surgery in London on Wednesday, aiming to return to action for Real Madrid in October. The 22-year-old midfielder, who dislocated his left shoulder during a November 2023 La Liga match against Rayo Vallecano, has managed the injury with strapping while playing consistently for club and country since then, missing only four initial matches.

The Athletic reported in May that Bellingham would have the procedure after Real Madrid's Club World Cup campaign, with an expected recovery period of 10-12 weeks. His participation in the tournament—where Madrid exited after a 4-0 semi-final loss to Paris Saint-Germain—delayed the surgery until mid-July.

Real Madrid faces a congested early-season schedule, opening their 2025-26 La Liga campaign against Osasuna on August 19. The club's request to postpone this match due to Club World Cup commitments was rejected by La Liga, meaning Madrid will play seven league fixtures between August and September, including a derby against Atletico Madrid on September 28.

Meanwhile, England has World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia in September, followed by an October 9 friendly against Wales. Bellingham has been included in all squads since Thomas Tuchel became head coach in January. Since his €103 million move from Borussia Dortmund in June 2023, Bellingham has made 100 appearances for Madrid, contributing 38 goals and 28 assists.