What’s going on with Jude Bellingham’s shoulder?

During Real Madrid's home match against Espanyol on September 21, fans experienced a tense moment when Jude Bellingham went down, holding his shoulder.

The 21-year-old received on-field treatment from the physios in Madrid, and after the team's 4-1 win, manager Carlo Ancelotti reassured everyone in his press conference that there was no cause for concern.

However, the incident brought back concerns about an issue that originated during the initial phase of Bellingham's first season last year. He missed around a month of play due to a dislocated shoulder and started using protective gear on that area to prevent a recurrence.

Several sources in Madrid who were interviewed for this article—preferring to remain anonymous to safeguard their roles—indicated that they have no major worries about Bellingham’s physical condition at the moment. They unanimously agreed that there are no issues impacting his ability to play right now.

Nevertheless, the issue of how to handle the Englishman's shoulder has resurfaced as a point of conversation among the Spanish club.

Observing him lately, it’s difficult not to conclude that he’s not performing at his full capacity. Medical professionals we've talked to indicate that shoulder dislocations typically need surgery and a significant recovery period at some stage.

In this section, The Athletic provides an update on the most recent developments.

Duration Of Bellingham's Shoulder Issue

Bellingham's left shoulder injury was first reported 11 months ago while he was playing in Madrid. He dislocated it during a scoreless home game against Rayo Vallecano in La Liga on November 5. Although he managed to finish the match, he was unable to play in Madrid's following two games and also missed England's last two Euro 2024 qualifiers later that month.

Bellingham clutched his shoulder during the game against Espanyol (David Ramos/Getty Images).

It isn't entirely clear if Bellingham has had previous shoulder dislocations, but sources from Real Madrid mentioned that they were aware of shoulder issues he experienced while playing for Borussia Dortmund from 2020 to 2023. There are photos of him using shoulder support during matches for the German team in August 2022 and March 2023.

Is It Impacting His Performance?

Following his shoulder dislocation at the Bernabeu last year, Bellingham began using a specialized brace brought in from the United States. This brace is highly regarded as one of the top protective devices available and was provided by Dr. Manuel Leyes from the Olympia Quironsalud clinic in Madrid, a physician who frequently treats players from Madrid.

According to a different source within Madrid, it's a gadget commonly utilized in the NFL and the Premier League. Its function is to provide shoulder support during games, helping to ease pain and lower the chance of further dislocations.

Bellingham participated in several games last season while using the device, having an impressive first year where he netted 23 goals and delivered 13 assists in 42 matches. His contributions were key as Madrid clinched both La Liga and the Champions League titles.

Madrid secured a 2-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund to clinch the Champions League title last season (Cesare Purini/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images).

Leading up to the summer European Championship, where England reached the final only to be defeated by Spain, reports from Madrid indicated that Bellingham's shoulder injury had improved significantly and was causing him much less trouble.

By the beginning of the 2024-25 season, he had stopped using the orthosis. According to sources from Madrid, he requested to discontinue its use because he felt it hindered his breathing during matches. These sources also suggested that the device may have slightly restricted his movement, particularly when it came to jumping.

"He's consistently used protective gear," Ancelotti mentioned following last month's game against Espanyol, when Bellingham injured his shoulder and received treatment from the physios. "He’s improved and hasn't needed it for a month now. The issue was resolved today since he didn’t request a substitution. I don’t foresee it being a concern, but he needs to look after himself."

Following the match against Espanyol, Bellingham has resumed wearing shoulder protection. Both he and the club have acknowledged the necessity of this, even though it may be somewhat bothersome.

Is Surgery Necessary?

According to sources within Real Madrid, they believe that Bellingham needs to undergo surgery to guarantee a complete recovery of his shoulder and to minimize the chances of it dislocating again. This perspective is supported by Dr. Santiago Arauz, a specialist in shoulder injuries at Clinica Cemtro, a surgical clinic in Madrid.

Arauz states that the chance of the condition coming back is extremely high, reaching as much as 90 percent.

I have patients who have experienced dislocations for 20 years, but in several instances, surgery is suggested right after the first episode. The challenge is that some individuals endure multiple dislocations, which can lead to additional injuries. These days, if someone has dislocated three times, there is unanimous agreement that surgery is the best option.

Bellingham will definitely recognize the exact moment when his shoulder might dislocate. Usually, this happens when you lift your arm upward and back, such as reaching for something in the trunk of your car while sitting in the front seats.

Bellingham has played in seven matches for Madrid this season (Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)

"While it may not be essential for a football player, he can continue playing. However, that doesn't imply it's without consequences or that it won't impact his performance."

Dr. Mikel Aramberri, the head of the ALAI sports medicine clinic, has experience collaborating with Real Madrid as well as the Spanish rugby squad.

He states, “Generally, since he plays outside of the goal, I don’t believe it will greatly hinder him. However, if he continues to experience repeated instability leading to more frequent dislocations, the sensible approach would be to identify a time in the season when he can have surgery to address the issue.”

What's Next? Possible Outcomes Ahead

Everyone in Madrid believes that Bellingham will eventually need surgery, but right now, his schedule hasn't allowed for it. In the meantime, he is managing the situation with the assistance of the physiotherapists.

When Bellingham sustained a muscle injury in August, it was predicted that he would be sidelined for about a month. Real Madrid contemplated the option of performing surgery on his shoulder, but ultimately decided against it since the recovery time would have been significantly longer.

Sources from the coaching staff believe that Bellingham will require around two months for recovery, whereas Aramberri estimates it will take “at least 12 weeks.”

At this point, the club is happy to take their time while keeping a close eye on the situation and seeking medical guidance on the best steps to take. They're following a similar approach with Aurelien Tchouameni, who has been dealing with ongoing stress issues in his left foot.

However, a further disruption for Bellingham could introduce new challenges, which is why everyone is proceeding with caution.

(Main image: Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)

Guillermo started his professional journey by reporting on Real Madrid and the sports sector for Diario AS. He then relocated to London, serving as the correspondent for both AS and Cadena Ser. After returning to Madrid, he now joins us at The Athletic, where he will provide updates, interviews, and stories about Real Madrid and beyond.