Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham is expected to be sidelined for about a month due to a calf injury sustained during training on Friday, according to Spanish reports.
“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,” said Madrid in a statement, without specifying his expected return date.
Bellingham will be absent for La Liga fixtures against Real Valladolid, Las Palmas, and Real Betis, and will also miss England’s Nations League matches 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 Friday.
The midfielder played a crucial role in Madrid’s previous season, contributing to their Champions League and La Liga victories.
This season, Bellingham has been positioned in central midfield to make room for striker Kylian Mbappe, after having played in a more advanced role last season.
Bellingham, 21, is targeting a return for Madrid’s first Champions League match of the season, scheduled between September 17-19.
