There have been growing concerns about Jude Bellingham’s fitness, with suggestions surfacing that the England international might require surgery after representing his country at Euro 2024. Bellingham has been playing through pain for a significant portion of the 2023-24 season, following a dislocated shoulder sustained during a clash with Rayo Vallecano in October.
Nearly a year after the initial injury, the discomfort in his shoulder continues to trouble the 21-year-old midfielder. Real Madrid’s manager, Carlo Ancelotti, recently provided an update on the situation, confirming that Bellingham is no longer playing with the aid of a supportive shoulder brace.
However, despite the absence of the brace, Bellingham was seen clutching his shoulder after being substituted in a match against Espanyol, raising further concerns about the state of his recovery.
According to reports from Marca, medical professionals have advised Bellingham to rest in order to properly heal the lingering shoulder issue.
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However, the determined midfielder has been reluctant to follow that advice. Having recently missed a month of action due to a separate foot injury, Bellingham is eager to return to peak form and fitness, showing little interest in sitting out any more games.
His desire to stay on the pitch is understandable given his key role for both club and country, but it also poses a potential risk of aggravating the injury further.
There is a possibility that Ancelotti could rest Bellingham during Real Madrid’s upcoming La Liga fixture against Alaves, giving him a much-needed break.
However, reports suggest that Bellingham is likely to feature in the starting lineup for the high-stakes Madrid derby against Atletico Madrid at the Metropolitano on Sunday. Given the significance of the derby, Bellingham’s presence on the field would be invaluable to Los Blancos, though his ongoing shoulder issues remain a point of concern.
The young Englishman’s situation underscores the delicate balance between managing injuries and maintaining form. While Bellingham’s commitment to helping his team is admirable, his long-term fitness could be jeopardized if the shoulder problem is not properly addressed.
For now, Real Madrid and England fans alike will be hoping that he can manage his condition and continue performing at the highest level without further complications.