Jude Bellingham Breaks Silence on Persistent Shoulder Injury: "My Patience Is Running Out"
Following almost two years of dealing with a persistent shoulder problem, Jude Bellingham is eager to proceed with surgical treatment, despite the possibility of missing the beginning of the 2025–26 campaign.
Bellingham suffered a shoulder dislocation in November 2023 during his first season at Real Madrid. The 21-year-old chose to continue playing and endure the discomfort rather than having an operation to prevent missing matches for his club and national team.
This choice enabled Bellingham to play a crucial part as Los Blancos secured La Liga, the Champions League, and the Spanish Super Cup during the 2023–24 campaign. He also competed for England during the Three Lions' journey to the Euro 2024 final that summer, before heading back to the Spanish capital to participate in Carlo Ancelotti's concluding season.
Throughout this period, Bellingham had to compete while wearing a substantial shoulder support, and the midfielder is eagerly anticipating the day when he can finally be rid of both the injury and the restraint.
"I've gotten to the stage where the discomfort isn't as severe, but I was tired of competing with the support," Bellingham shared with DAZN following Real Madrid's 3–1 triumph over Pachuca in the FIFA Club World Cup.
"I'm shedding considerable weight from excessive perspiration, and I've made the decision to have the operation following the tournament," Bellingham stated. "I've been waiting for an extended period, and my tolerance is wearing thin, but the physiotherapists and medical staff have been outstanding."
After the FIFA Club World Cup ends, Bellingham will finally receive surgery to definitively resolve his shoulder problems. The operation is anticipated to keep the England player out of action for approximately three months, preventing him from participating in the beginning of the upcoming season.
Missing Bellingham represents a significant setback for the initial phase of Xabi Alonso's debut La Liga season as Real Madrid's new manager. The midfielder serves as Los Blancos' premier creative force and frequently appears to be the player who scores when his team requires a goal most urgently.
In merely two seasons wearing the white jersey, Bellingham has already accumulated 38 goals and 27 assists. What makes this even more remarkable is that nearly every goal contribution occurred while he wasn't at full fitness.
Nevertheless, the moment has arrived for the young star to undergo the surgery and finally address the issue that has troubled him for such an extended time.
"I simply want to experience freedom," he expresses.