Real Madrid has confirmed that midfielder Jude Bellingham sustained a muscle injury in his right leg during Friday’s training session.
According to an ESPN source, Bellingham is likely to be sidelined until mid-September, missing action until after the international break.
Madrid will host Real Valladolid at the Bernabéu on Sunday for their first home game of the season, following a 1-1 draw against Mallorca in their opening away match last weekend.
The game will see Kylian Mbappé make his home debut, after joining Madrid from Paris Saint-Germain this summer.
“After tests carried out today by Real Madrid’s medical services on our player Jude Bellingham, he has been diagnosed with an injury in the plantaris muscle in his right leg,” the club said in a statement.
“[Bellingham] got a knock,” coach Carlo Ancelotti said in a news conference, earlier on Friday. “We’re evaluating it.”
England midfielder Jude Bellingham had an outstanding season for Real Madrid last year, netting 19 goals in the league.
He also played a pivotal role in their first trophy victory of the current campaign, earning man-of-the-match honors in their UEFA Super Cup triumph over Atalanta last week.
With the addition of Kylian Mbappé to a squad that already captured both LaLiga and the Champions League, expectations are soaring for Madrid in the 2024-25 season.
However, Carlo Ancelotti’s side faced criticism after a disappointing draw against Mallorca, causing them to drop crucial points early in the campaign.
“It was quite clear in terms of the evaluation,” Ancelotti said. “We lacked balance at times and we have to work on that. It isn’t too complicated. When the problem is clear, there’s a clear solution.”
Ancelotti denied that there was an issue with fitting forward Rodrygo into the team, alongside Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior and Bellingham.
“[Rodrygo] told me he’s very happy here,” Ancelotti said. “He’s working hard, he’s been one of the best in these games, so there’s no problem with him.”