Jude Bellingham’s 2025 season with Real Madrid has been marked by a significant shoulder injury that required surgery, sidelining him for an extended period during a crucial phase.

Although progress in rehabilitation and early returns to training have fueled optimism from coach Xabi Alonso, the injury caused Bellingham to miss preseason and disrupted his rhythm. His rushed return in matches like the Madrid derby led to underwhelming performances, revealing that he wasn’t yet back to full form.

This downtime has allowed other midfield talents to stake claims, complicating Bellingham’s reintegration into the starting lineup.

Tactical Dilemma for Xabi Alonso

Real Madrid’s midfield is congested with key performers such as Valverde, Tchouameni, Arda Guler, and newcomer Mastantuono competing for limited spots.

With Vinicius and Mbappé in phenomenal form upfront, Alonso faces difficult choices on balancing defensive solidity and creative firepower. Bellingham’s unique skill set makes him a valuable asset, but Alonso must decide if he deploys Jude as a traditional midfielder or in a more advanced role closer to goal, a decision still evolving. 

Until Bellingham fully regains fitness and form, players like Mastantuono have impressed when given opportunities, making the competition stiffer and pushing Bellingham towards a more secondary role temporarily.

What Comes Next After the Break

As the international break ends, Real Madrid approaches a critical phase with a packed schedule, including La Liga matches and Champions League commitments. Alonso’s challenge will be to optimize rotations and manage player workloads carefully, especially integrating Bellingham gradually without disrupting team chemistry.

The England international remains expected to feature more prominently soon, but the priority is ensuring he returns at peak condition rather than rushing him back prematurely. This measured approach, though sidelining Bellingham somewhat, aims to preserve his long-term impact for Real Madrid’s title ambitions.

Jude Bellingham’s journey at Real Madrid in 2025 reflects the complexities of injury management and tactical fluidity, resulting in a temporary shift from central figure to a more supportive role under Xabi Alonso’s stewardship.