Why isn't Jude Bellingham playing for Real Madrid against Real Betis in LaLiga?

Real Madrid will be without their English midfielder for their home game against Real Betis.

Jude Bellingham played no part in Real Madrid’s LaLiga game against Real Betis after the midfielder suffered an injury that will keep him out of action for around a month.

The former Borussia Dortmund player was unable to complete the team’s training session last Friday and missed out as his side won 3-0 against Real Valladolid at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, their first victory of the new season. In that game, Arda Güler played in the slot vacated by the Englishman. The following match day, against Las Palmas, he sat out as Los Blancos drew 1-1.

Bellingham posted on social media after the news of his injury broke, saying “Nothing I hate more than missing games but trying to see the positive side and maybe my body is telling me it needs a bit more rest after a busy year. I’m very frustrated but I’ll be supporting the lads like a fan until I can rejoin them again in my best and strongest form. Thanks for your messages of concern and support. 💪🏽Lots of love and Hala Madrid! 🤍”

Real Madrid possible XI against Real Betis in LaLiga

Carlo Ancelotti is set to make a few changes to his side:

Thibaut Courtois; Dani Carvajal (c), Éder Militão, Antonio Rüdiger, Ferland Mendy; Fede Valverde, Arda Güler, Aurélien Tchouaméni; Rodrygo, Kylian Mbappé, Vinicius Junior.

What injury does Jude Bellingham have?

Initially, the extent of injury was kept quiet until Real Madrid posted on their official website that he had suffered a plantaris muscle injury in his right leg. The plantaris is a long, thin muscle that runs down the back of the leg, and the midfielder will, as a result, be out for around a month.

In that time he will miss around 6 games, with five of them coming in LaLiga. The other will come in the Champions League, with Real Madrid being drawn against plenty of old foes in the new league system.

After the trip to UD Las Palmas on Thursday, August 29, Los Blancos now welcome Real Betis to the Bernabéu on Sunday, September 1 before heading north to play against Real Sociedad on the weekend of September 15.

If everything goes to plan, Bellingham’s return would come after their trip to Donosti, with the home game against Espanyol on the weekend of September 22 the current best-case scenario for the player. Madrid play against Alavés at the Bernabéu the following week, and take on Atlético Madrid on the weekend of September 29, a game the Englishman will be itching to get back for.