Jude Bellingham is finally back on the training pitch with Real Madrid. Just 61 days after surgery on his left shoulder, the English midfielder joined the squad on Monday in Valdebebas. For fans, seeing him out there again, smiling, moving freely, touching the ball, felt almost like celebrating a goal ahead of time.
The original plan had him sidelined for three months, but he’s beaten the estimate by coming back a little over two. He’s not cleared to play yet, but simply having him around already lifts the mood before Madrid’s Champions League opener against Olympique de Marseille.
Patience and the weight of his absence
Bellingham’s shoulder problem goes back to November 2023, when he picked it up in a match against Rayo Vallecano. Instead of going under the knife right away, he chose to delay surgery so he wouldn’t disrupt Real Madrid’s campaign or England’s schedule. That meant almost two years pushing through discomfort until he finally had the operation in July. The club figured he’d be out about three months. Two months later, here he is. The urge from supporters to see him back is obvious, but the medical staff and Xabi Alonso are taking no chances. Bringing him back too soon would be reckless
His absence was painfully clear late last season. Real were dismantled by PSG in the Club World Cup semifinal, a 4-0 loss that exposed a flat, predictable midfield. That game was Bellingham’s last appearance. Since then it’s been weeks of waiting, endless speculation, and fans wondering when their No. 5 would return to the spotlight. Now he’s back in training, sparking hope, but it’s still too early to talk about him starting matches.
The meaning behind his return
Sometimes, a player coming back to training carries the same weight as a win. At just 22, Bellingham has already become both a technical leader and an emotional reference point in Madrid. He controls tempo, scores big goals, and gives the team identity. Watching him run, exchange passes, and laugh with teammates brings energy to a squad facing a tough stretch ahead.
The Champions League has always been Real Madrid’s natural stage, the competition where its legend was built and where nothing less than center stage is accepted. And right in the week of their debut, Bellingham reappears. He won’t feature against Marseille, but his return is close. When he’s finally back in action, Madrid will regain a player who, in no time at all, has become absolutely indispensable.