Real Madrid confirm Jude Bellingham surgery plan: Return date, games missed

Real Madrid experienced a significant 4-0 defeat against Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup semifinal on July 9 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. This loss eliminated them from the tournament, as FIFA opted not to hold a third-place match to allow clubs rest time before the 2025/26 season.

Following the match, Real Madrid confirmed midfielder Jude Bellingham will undergo shoulder surgery upon returning from the United States. The 22-year-old was substituted during the semifinal due to discomfort, having initially dislocated his left shoulder in a November 2023 La Liga match against Rayo Vallecano.

The surgical procedure, planned since the injury occurred, was originally scheduled after the Club World Cup final. However, Real Madrid's early exit accelerated the timeline. Bellingham acknowledged his impatience to resolve the issue after the group stage, stating: "I have surgery scheduled for after the tournament, hopefully after the final... I want to feel free again."

Surgery is now set for after July 13, with an expected recovery period of three to four months. This timeline will cause Bellingham to miss a substantial portion of the first half of the upcoming season.