Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham is expected to be sidelined for about a month after sustaining a calf injury during training on Friday, according to reports from Spain.
“Following tests carried out today on Jude Bellingham by Real Madrid’s medical team, the player has been diagnosed with an injury to the plantaris muscle in his right leg,” Real Madrid confirmed in a statement, without detailing the length of his recovery.
Bellingham is set to miss several key fixtures, including La Liga matches against Real Valladolid, Las Palmas, and Real Betis, as well as England’s Nations League games against the Republic of Ireland and Finland in September.
“(Bellingham) took a knock, we’re evaluating it,” Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said during a press conference earlier on Friday.
The 21-year-old was instrumental in Madrid’s success last season, helping them secure both the Champions League and La Liga titles.
In the first two matches of this season, Bellingham has been playing a central midfield role to accommodate the arrival of striker Kylian Mbappé, after playing in a more advanced position last season.
Bellingham is now focused on returning in time for Madrid’s first Champions League match of the season, scheduled between September 17-19.
