Jude Bellingham has now recovered after undergoing shoulder surgery on July 16, 2025. His expected return date was October; however, the England international has returned early and is included in the squad list for Real Madrid’s Champions League match against Marseille at the Santiago Bernabéu on Tuesday.
Bellingham, regarded as one of the greatest English midfielders of all time after helping Real Madrid win the UCL following his €100m transfer from Dortmund, will be a major boost for Xabi Alonso and the team. However, as he is still recovering from surgery, he is expected to start on the bench and is not guaranteed minutes.
Some Real Madrid fans feel he has been rushed back from injury, fearing that straining him again could aggravate the issue. It is worth remembering that Jude played with the shoulder injury for two years, delaying surgery and wearing a shoulder pad while playing for both England and Real Madrid. He sustained the injury around November 2023 but continued playing, even helping Real Madrid win the UCL the following year while operating as a false nine—a role that requires a lot of movement. However, last season, his performances were sometimes negatively affected, and he couldn’t move as freely due to the limitations of the shoulder pad. He even went goalless for about three months before finally finding some rhythm, though still shaky. Hopefully, he is not just back in the Real Madrid squad but back fit, ready, and at 100% recovery. He will probably still not be risked for the Marseille match despite being included in the squad.
In addition to Bellingham, Eduardo Camavinga—who is recovering from an ankle issue—is also back in the squad. Like Jude, he is expected to be on the bench rather than in the starting XI, to avoid unnecessary
risks.
Let's go Hala Madrid. Hala Madrid Yandas!