LaLiga title-chasing ambitions have taken a fresh hit after the club confirmed Jude Bellingham has suffered a muscular injury in his left leg.
In an official medical update released on Sunday, the club stated that tests carried out by the medical services diagnosed Bellingham with “an injury to the semitendinosus muscle in his left leg,” adding that he is “awaiting evolution.”
What happened
Bellingham’s issue came during the weekend league clash against Rayo Vallecano, when he was forced off early after appearing to feel discomfort while chasing down a pass. He was replaced inside the opening 10 minutes, leaving Madrid to reshuffle their midfield almost immediately.
While the club’s statement did not provide a firm return date, the wording “awaiting evolution” typically signals that the extent of the layoff will depend on how the muscle responds over the coming days, with further assessments likely as swelling and soreness settle.
What the diagnosis means
The semitendinosus forms part of the hamstring group, and injuries in this area can vary widely in severity. Some players return quickly with minor strains, while more significant damage can require a longer rehabilitation period. Real Madrid have not confirmed the grade of the injury, so any timeline remains provisional at this stage.
However, a report by Reuters noted that Bellingham is expected to be sidelined for around a month, which would be a major absence at a decisive point of the season.
Big fixtures looming for Madrid
The timing is particularly awkward, with crucial domestic and European tests arriving in quick succession. According to the official league calendar, Madrid’s next Valencia CF trip is followed by a home meeting with Real Sociedad, before attention turns to the UEFA Champions League playoff first leg away to Benfica.
If the “around a month” expectation proves accurate, Bellingham could miss multiple matches across competitions, placing extra responsibility on Madrid’s midfield options to maintain intensity and creativity.
How Madrid may adapt
Madrid have enough depth to cope, but replacing Bellingham’s blend of ball-carrying, pressing, and late runs into the box is never straightforward. Expect Madrid to manage the load carefully across the upcoming run—especially with European qualification on the line—while monitoring his progress week by week.
RMxtra will keep tracking updates as the club provides further information on his recovery and availability.