Jude Bellingham will miss around a month with a hamstring injury, ruling the Real Madrid midfielder out of key LaLiga fixtures and a Champions League tie.
Real Madrid have been dealt a significant injury blow after Jude Bellingham was ruled out for around a month. The England midfielder suffered a hamstring injury during Sunday’s 2-1 LaLiga win over Rayo Vallecano. His evening lasted less than ten minutes at the Santiago Bernabeu. Concern spread quickly as the midfielder went down clutching his left thigh.
The injury occurred as Bellingham sprinted onto a through ball from Franco Mastantuono. He immediately felt a sharp pull and signalled to the bench. Medical staff rushed on, but the 22-year-old was unable to continue. He walked off the pitch in visible distress and was replaced by Brahim Diaz.
Initial fears were confirmed later that night following medical tests. Real Madrid announced Bellingham had suffered an injury to the semitendinosus muscle in his left leg. Further assessments indicated a recovery period of around four weeks. The club added that his progress would be monitored closely.
It is a frustrating setback at a crucial stage of the season. Bellingham had been declared fully fit before kickoff and started the match in strong condition. Head coach Alvaro Arbeloa admitted the loss was significant. However, he stressed confidence in the depth and experience of his squad.
Bellingham’s absence disrupts Real Madrid’s rhythm during a demanding run of fixtures. The midfielder has been central to their attacking structure and late runs into the box. His energy and leadership have often set the tone in big matches. Without him, Madrid must reshuffle their midfield balance.
Brahim Diaz is expected to see increased minutes, while other midfield options may be adjusted. The injury comes as Madrid continue to chase Barcelona at the top of LaLiga. They currently sit one point behind the leaders. Dropped points during this period could prove costly.
The timing of the injury means Bellingham will likely miss several key fixtures. In LaLiga, he is expected to be absent for matches against Valencia, Real Sociedad, Osasuna and Getafe. Each game carries importance in the title race and European qualification battle.
More significantly, Bellingham is set to miss the Champions League knockout playoff tie against Benfica. That includes both the away leg in Lisbon and the return fixture in Madrid. His absence removes one of Madrid’s most influential performers on the European stage. It places greater responsibility on the remaining senior players.
Before his forced exit, Bellingham looked sharp in the opening exchanges. He pressed aggressively and attempted to drive Madrid forward. The injury changed the flow of the match, forcing an early tactical adjustment. Madrid eventually ground out a narrow victory through resilience rather than control.
The reaction from teammates underlined his importance. Several players immediately signalled concern as he left the pitch. Supporters responded with applause as he walked down the tunnel. The focus quickly shifted from the result to his condition.
Real Madrid will manage Bellingham carefully with a busy calendar ahead. A return is tentatively expected in early March if recovery goes smoothly. That timeline could also affect his involvement with England. International friendlies later in March now appear uncertain.
For now, Madrid must navigate a challenging spell without one of their key figures. The coming weeks will test their squad depth and title credentials. Bellingham’s recovery remains a priority as the season enters a decisive phase.
