Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham has confirmed he will undergo shoulder surgery following the conclusion of the FIFA Club World Cup, ruling him out of action for several months.

The England international sustained a dislocated shoulder in November 2023 during a La Liga match against Rayo Vallecano at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Despite the injury, Bellingham continued to play through the remainder of the season with the aid of heavy strapping and a shoulder brace, helping Real Madrid to a league and Champions League double, and guiding England to the Euro 2024 final.

Speaking after Real Madrid’s 3-1 win over Pachuca in the Club World Cup, where he scored the opener, Bellingham admitted the long-standing issue has become increasingly frustrating.

“I’ve got to the end of my patience with the brace,” Bellingham told Managing Madrid. “The physios and doctors have been unbelievable getting me ready for every game, but I’m ready to have a free shoulder, and a free body really. The pain isn’t so bad anymore, it’s just tiresome.”

The 21-year-old confirmed he will undergo surgery “a few days after the final” to correct the problem.

According to Cadena SER, Bellingham is expected to be sidelined until at least mid-October.

This will see him miss the opening months of the 2025/26 La Liga season, the early group stage matches in the UEFA Champions League, and England’s World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia.

The surgery presents an early challenge for new Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso, who will begin his tenure without one of the club’s most crucial players.