By Taiwo Adeshigbin
Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham will undergo shoulder stabilization surgery after the FIFA Club World Cup. The 22-year-old midfielder has been hampered by recurring shoulder dislocations, which date back to his debut season with the club in 2023.
The procedure is expected to sideline Bellingham for at least 12 weeks, meaning he’ll miss the start of the La Liga season and England’s early World Cup qualifiers.Studies suggest that as many as 90% of athletes return to full competition within four to six months following this type of procedure, depending on the type of sport and assuming no complications.
While the majority of shoulder injuries may be seen among goalkeepers, the shoulder is kept for the field players in activities such as throw-ins, aerial duels, and even sprinting, where arm motion contributes to balance and forward propulsion.
Bellingham’s rehab will focus on shoulder and core stabilization to restore strength, force and control, while also incorporating brain-based neuromuscular training to sharpen reaction time, decision making, to adapt under match conditions, adding an additional layer of injury prevention.
For now, the attention is on the Club World Cup Round of 16 match against Juventus on July 1 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.