Jude Bellingham has returned to Valdebebas in excellent condition, much like the other six internationals who joined Real Madrid's training sessions l
Jude Bellingham has returned to Valdebebas in excellent condition, much like the other six internationals who joined Real Madrid’s training sessions later in the preseason. This puts all of them in contention to start in the UEFA Super Cup. Notably, Bellingham is feeling lighter—both physically and mentally—as he’s no longer wearing the bulky shoulder protection that accompanied him through much of the last season.
The protective gear, which Bellingham wore even up to his final match in the Euro 2024, provided him with the necessary security to continue playing despite his shoulder issues. However, it also restricted his movements and affected his performance on the pitch. The extent of the protection had even led to concerns that Bellingham might require surgery at the end of the season to fully resolve his shoulder problem.
Fortunately, Bellingham has managed to avoid surgery and has now discarded the shoulder protection, at least during the early preseason training sessions. The English midfielder has regained confidence in his shoulder and is determined to play without the brace, aiming to return to normalcy. The true test will come on Wednesday in the UEFA Super Cup, where it will be seen whether Bellingham can perform without the ‘armor’ that has defined his recent games.
Bellingham first injured his shoulder on November 5, 2023, during a match against Rayo Vallecano at the Bernabéu. Despite the pain from a fall early in the game, he played the full 90 minutes. The club later confirmed that he suffered from anterior shoulder instability, which sidelined him for 20 days. Upon his return, he wore the now-famous shoulder protection throughout the season—a protective gear he seems ready to leave behind.
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