England midfielder’s injury proving more serious than expected as Thomas Tuchel races against time for March friendlies
Jude Bellingham‘s recovery from the hamstring injury he sustained in Real Madrid‘s win over Rayo Vallecano has reportedly hit a significant setback.
Bellingham continues experiencing substantial pain, and his rehabilitation is progressing far slower than medical staff anticipated when they first diagnosed the injury.
The England international now faces approximately two months on the sidelines rather than the four weeks originally projected, fundamentally altering Real Madrid’s midfield planning for crucial upcoming fixtures.
Onda Cero’s Alberto Pereiro suggested that the Real Madrid midfielder won’t return until April. The extended absence doubles the initial one-month timeline and raises serious doubts about his availability for his club amid a key run, and readiness for his country heading into the World Cup.
In Bellingham’s absence, Fede Valverde and Eduardo Camavinga have shouldered increased responsibilities in Madrid’s midfield. Both have performed admirably, helping the club win five consecutive league matches to close within one point of Barcelona at the LaLiga summit.
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Tuchel remains optimistic despite recovery concerns
England head coach Thomas Tuchel has expressed cautious optimism about Bellingham’s availability for crucial March friendlies against Uruguay and Japan at Wembley, despite acknowledging the challenges the midfielder faces in his recovery race.
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The Three Lions face Uruguay on March 27 and Japan on March 31 as part of their preparations for the 2026 World Cup. Those matches represent important opportunities for Tuchel to evaluate his squad and refine tactical approaches before competitive action begins, making Bellingham’s potential absence problematic.
When asked about the midfielder’s ongoing rehabilitation, Tuchel revealed a disconnect between Real Madrid‘s conservative outlook and Bellingham’s personal determination to accelerate his return.
“The club is a bit more defensive on the outlook regarding the weeks of his recovery,” Tuchel told reporters. “Jude is pushing, and as we know him, he is determined and super professional. He will try everything to be with us in March.”
That tension between medical caution and player eagerness creates familiar complications in managing elite athletes. Bellingham’s competitive drive and professionalism work in his favour, but rushing back from hamstring injuries often leads to recurring problems that extend absences far beyond initial projections.
“Of course we are in contact, that is a normal thing to do, and we wish him all the best,” Tuchel said. “Whatever we can do for him, we will help and support him. It is a little race against time. Personally, I am optimistic, but I am not sure.”
Tuchel has said in the past that match readiness and regular game time at club level would be a key factor in his decision-making for his England squad this summer.
And should the new claims of an April return be true, it would leave the former Birmingham player just months to get up to speed, although there is no doubting the player’s physical and technical capacities to regain full form in a short space of time.
Which games will Bellingham miss?
Should initial reports prove to be correct, Bellingham will return to action in early March, meaning that he will miss out on Real Madrid’s games against Real Sociedad, Benfica, Osasuna and possibly Getafe.
Meanwhile, a return in April would also see him miss England’s games during the March international break and Real Madrid’s duels against Celta Vigo, Elche, Atletico Madrid, as well as both their potential Champions League Round of 16 games in the event they knock out Benfica.
