Jude Bellingham has been struggling with instability in his left shoulder ever since a bad fall during Real Madrid’s match against Rayo Vallecano on November 5, 2023. That incident caused a dislocation, and despite continuing to play with orthopedic support — technically known as an orthosis — the issue has persisted and remains a cause for concern.

Surgery is no longer a matter of if, but when. Studies show that in young athletes who delay surgical intervention, the rate of re-dislocation can reach up to 90%. Real Madrid's medical team had already considered surgery last August but ultimately decided against it at the time due to the long recovery period that would follow, which would have sidelined one of the team's most critical players.

Bellingham’s age makes the need for surgery even more urgent, as younger players tend to have more elastic tissue, increasing the risk of recurrent dislocations. However, due to his importance to the team, the club has so far opted to manage the situation conservatively, relying on physical therapy and support equipment to allow him to continue playing.

While initial estimates suggested a two-month absence post-surgery, experts now say that is a best-case scenario. According to Fernando Ramos, president of the Spanish Association of Physiotherapists, recent studies indicate that the recovery timeline is significantly longer. In remarks made to ElDesmarque, Ramos stated that depending on the type of procedure performed and the presence of any associated injuries, players typically require four months to return to training and up to five or six months before resuming competitive play.

Given that the current LaLiga season concludes on May 25 and the Club World Cup kicks off shortly after on June 14, Real Madrid is expected to delay the operation until after the summer tournament. Should the club reach the final, Bellingham would likely undergo surgery around mid-July.

If that timeline holds, the English midfielder would return to training by mid-November, with a full competitive comeback expected between December and January. This could result in Bellingham missing a significant portion of the 2025–26 season, including the first half of LaLiga, the entire Champions League first phase, early Copa del Rey fixtures, and potentially the Spanish Super Cup in January.

Real Madrid is fully aware of the trade-off. Delaying surgery helps them keep a key player available for the Club World Cup, but it also means preparing for a long-term absence in the months that follow.

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