Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham pulled out of England’s Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia after suffering a shoulder injury. Despite missing Real Madrid’s last two games, the midfielder was called up by Gareth Southgate. Bellingham did report for international duty but was withdrawn from the squad and returned to Spain for treatment.
On Real Madrid’s social pages, they have now shared an update on the player’s situation, with Bellingham spotted in team training with the Los Blancos.
On Wednesday he trained with the team, but reports claim that Real Madrid players were prohibited from touching Bellingham during that training session due to his shoulder injury.
He trained with the team again on Thursday, a clear sign that the injury might not be as significant anymore. As a result, Ancelotti may plan to include the midfielder in the squad for Sunday’s game against Cádiz.
Injury crisis at Madrid
Eduardo Camavinga was called up to the French team ahead of the international break, with the midfielder choosing to join the France National Team camp. However, during training with the team the Frenchman, picked up a serious knee injury. It resulted in him leaving the French camp without featuring in either match.Unfortunately, Real Madrid confirmed that Camavinga will not return until 2024 due to a knee problem.
To make matters worse, Vinicius Júnior sustained an injury during the international break. The Brazilian winger has been ruled out for 10 weeks due to a torn hamstring he picked up in Brazil’s loss to Colombia.
Huge boost
The silver lining to this dark cloud is the return of Bellingham. The English midfielder has proven a key part of Madrid’s attack. In just 11 La Liga appearances, Bellingham has scored 10 goals and provided two assists. As for the Champions League, he has scored three goals and an assist in three appearances.
Golden Boy winner Bellingham has blossomed into one of Europe’s finest, with his future looking bright. Ancelotti, Southgate, and his teammates at Madrid and at England have all praised the midfielder’s maturity and personality to back the 20-year-old’s recent successes.
With the absence of Vinicius Jr’s pace and dribbling skills as well as Camavinga’s ability to hold on to the ball and deliver key passes, Real Madrid faces a challenge. The return of Bellingham, however, is positive. His ability to play as both a 10 and an 8 might prove to be vital. He is also a player who adapts easily, a strength that Ancelotti will be grateful for following this big change to his attacking side.
Focus
Ancelotti will also be grateful that there will be no international break for weeks to come. With the amount of games players participate in now due to an increase in international fixtures, injuries have begun to plague the football world.
Ancelotti cannot afford to lose more players to injury and will be glad to know that the focus will now shift to club football.
With Bellingham’s shoulder injury, for example, it is a positive for Real Madrid that the player can complete his rehabilitation at the club, without the interference of international duty.