Jude Bellingham Injury: Progress, Potential Return Date for Real Madrid Midfielder

The England international suffered a hamstring injury at the start of February.

Jude Bellingham is set for a period on the sidelines. | Federico Titone/SOPA Images/LightRocket/Getty Images

Real Madrid are always weaker without Jude Bellingham in their ranks but the midfielder’s recent absence has been particularly devastating amid the club’s on-field struggles.

An early injury protected Bellingham from the wrath of Madridistas in their Feb. 1 clash against Rayo Vallecano, as the Santiago Bernabéu faithful once again let their discontent be known to some of Madrid’s superstars.

Despite triumphing courtesy of Kylian Mbappé’s 100th-minute spot kick, another underwhelming performance was met with fury from the home crowd. Displays under Álvaro Arbeloa haven’t improved much since, the void left by Bellingham’s absence proving challenging to fill.

Fortunately, the England international is expected to re-join the action shortly ahead of a critical run of fixtures for Los Blancos.

---

What Injury Does Bellingham Have?

Bellingham medical report.

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) February 1, 2026

Bellingham had almost latched onto a pass behind Rayo’s defense when he felt his left hamstring go. The midfielder clutched the back of his leg and collapsed to the turf, brushing away tears as his teammates consoled him.

Providing more information, Real Madrid said Bellingham “has been diagnosed with an injury to the semitendinosus muscle in his left leg.”

Arbeloa, who has previously labeled the Englishman as a “cornerstone of Madrid’s future”, said his absence would be a “significant loss” for Los Blancos. That’s proved the case.

---

When Will Bellingham Return From Injury?

Bellingham was able to walk off under his own power. | Dennis Agyeman/Europa Press/Getty Images

There were fears it was a season-ending injury for Bellingham but the 22-year-old was fortunate to avoid such a severe diagnosis. Instead, Madrid cautiously penciled in a return date of late March for their talismanic midfielder.

However, Bellingham’s progress has been swifter than expected. According to Diario AS, Madrid are optimistic that he will be available for the second leg of their Champions League last 16 tie with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on March 17.

Close to making his return to training, Bellingham will be desperate to feature on a return to his homeland, with Madrid similarly eager for such an influential presence to be available for a match of enormous importance.

However, what is certain is that Bellingham will miss the first leg between the sides on March 11, as well as the subsequent La Liga clash with Elche three days later.

---