Real Madrid needed a late winner to beat Rayo Vallecano in La Liga on Sunday, Feb. 1. However, they suffered a major blow when a key player was sidelined by injury and could miss the next few weeks.
Real Madrid Star Picks Up Hamstring Injury
Los Blancos were under pressure ahead of kickoff as Barcelona extended their lead to four points following their win over Elche on Saturday, Jan. 31. Álvaro Arbeloa’s side needed to collect all three points to close the gap, but the match got off to a difficult start.
Jude Bellingham pulled up just 10 minutes into the game and had to be taken off. The Englishman was already enduring a challenging season following shoulder surgery last summer and is now set for additional time on the sidelines.
The midfielder was out of action until mid-September but returned straight to the starting 11. He has managed just four goals and three assists in 18 league appearances this season.
Jude Bellingham was subbed off in tears after a hamstring injury vs. Rayo Vallecano 😔 pic.twitter.com/4OHwXMSAhf
— B/R Football (@brfootball) February 1, 2026
Arbeloa confirmed that Bellingham’s absence will be an “important loss” for his side as they chase Barcelona in the table. He said after the game:
“Jude Bellingham? We don’t know anything yet. Jude was in perfect condition to play. [Bellingham] has made a great effort in every game since I’ve been here. It’s a very important loss, but we have an extraordinary squad.”
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Real Madrid also released a statement on the midfielder, saying he has suffered a semitendinosus injury. The club has yet to determine a timeline for his return and posted:
“Following tests carried out today on our player Jude Bellingham by the Real Madrid Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with an injury to the semitendinosus muscle in his left leg. Awaiting evolution.”
The 22-year-old is expected to miss the next few weeks but should return before the end of the season. He is pushing to make the England squad for the FIFA World Cup and is already battling for his place in the starting group.
Bellingham is now a doubt for the friendlies against Uruguay and Japan in March as Thomas Tuchel prepares his squad for the summer tournament. England’s World Cup campaign begins June 17 at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
