Real Madrid’s midfield maestro, Jude Bellingham, has suffered a muscle injury that will sideline him for several weeks, dealing a significant blow to the Spanish giants. The 21-year-old England international, who played a pivotal role in Real’s Champions League and La Liga triumphs last season, will miss crucial matches for both club and country.
According to club sources, Bellingham sustained the injury to his right leg’s plantaris muscle during training. The setback comes at an inopportune time for Real, who are preparing for a pivotal La Liga clash against Real Valladolid on Sunday. Bellingham will also be unavailable for England’s upcoming Nations League fixtures against Ireland and Finland next month.
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has expressed concern over Bellingham’s absence, acknowledging that it will disrupt the team’s balance. Ancelotti has been experimenting with a four-pronged attack featuring Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr., Rodrygo, and Bellingham, but he now faces a dilemma in finding a suitable replacement.
“We lacked balance,” Ancelotti said after Real’s disappointing 1-1 draw against Mallorca last weekend. “There is a clear solution. With such an attacking team, the forwards have to work a bit harder.”
Despite the setback, Ancelotti remains optimistic about Real’s prospects. He expects a warm welcome from the Bernabeu faithful for Mbappe’s home debut, which is expected to be a sell-out.
“It’s going to be a beautiful day for Mbappe,” Ancelotti said. “The fans are going to enjoy it a lot, I’m sure of that.”
Bellingham’s injury is a reminder of the physical demands of modern football. The relentless schedule and intense training sessions can take a toll on even the most talented players. Real Madrid will hope that Bellingham recovers quickly and returns to action as soon as possible.
