Bellingham will be sidelined for about a month. It could be three and a half weeks; it could be five. But that is the rough timeframe. The injury has now been confirmed as significant. Without waiting a second, he underwent tests this afternoon and the results are in: a tear to the semitendinosus muscle in his left leg. The worst was feared – and it has been confirmed. Jude will miss the tie against Benfica and at least four league games (Valencia, Real Sociedad, Osasuna and Getafe). He is a serious doubt for Celta, and the aim is for him to be available for a potential Champions League round of 16 first leg on March 10–11. There is optimism about that target, but the tear itself is notable.
Everything happened in the 8th minute of the game against Rayo Vallecano. An attack down the right flank, a sprint – and then a sudden jolt. He immediately grabbed the back of his thigh. There was clear pain and tension. His teammates signaled that he would not be able to continue – Brahim came on without warming up – and at the Bernabéu, beyond a few isolated whistles, the stadium fell silent. Bellingham left the field limping and in tears, fully aware that he had torn a muscle.
What will he miss?
To begin with, the tie against Benfica. It is absolutely impossible for him to be ready for the first leg on February 17 or the return on the 25th. Madrid will have to negotiate that hurdle without him. After that, attention turns to La Liga: he will miss Valencia away, Real Sociedad at home, Osasuna away and Getafe at home. There is a slim chance he could make the Getafe game, but that is not Plan A. The focus is further ahead: Celta de Vigo – and, above all, the days immediately after, when the Champions League last-16 first leg would be played. That is the priority: to be at full strength for that potential appointment.
Schedule at a glance
First injury of the season
Bellingham had not suffered an injury this season. He joined late – missing the first four league games and the opening Champions League match – while completing rehabilitation from shoulder surgery. From that point on, he had been ever-present: Jude played in every game except Albacete. He is one of those players Arbeloa believes should be “always on the field.” Untouchable. But Madrid will now have to cope without him for a month.
Attention will turn primarily to Güler and Brahim, although the casting remains open. The diagnosis came swiftly: Jude went straight to the club’s medical facilities this afternoon for tests. A wait of 24–48 hours is often recommended, as swelling can make diagnosis less precise, but in his case the assessment could be made immediately – and so it was. The verdict is clear: a tear to the semitendinosus muscle in his left leg. A heavy blow, literal and metaphorical. Bellingham will be out for around a month.