Bellingham returns to Madrid squad for Marseille clash
England midfielder Jude Bellingham has been named in Real Madrid’s squad for today’s Champions League opener against Marseille at the Santiago Bernabéu. The 22-year-old underwent surgery in July to fix a long-standing shoulder problem that first emerged in 2023, when he dislocated it during a league game against Rayo Vallecano. He has not featured since […]
Jude Bellingham in a training ahead of Marseille clash
England midfielder Jude Bellingham has been named in Real Madrid’s squad for today’s Champions League opener against Marseille at the Santiago Bernabéu.
The 22-year-old underwent surgery in July to fix a long-standing shoulder problem that first emerged in 2023, when he dislocated it during a league game against Rayo Vallecano.
He has not featured since the summer’s FIFA Club World Cup, but after returning to full training last week, coach Xabi Alonso has included him in his 23-man squad.
Bellingham joined Madrid from Borussia Dortmund for £115m two years ago and made an instant impact, firing 23 goals in 43 games to help Los Blancos win both La Liga and the Champions League in his debut season.
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Last term, he added 15 goals in 58 appearances, though Madrid were beaten to the domestic title by Barcelona and exited Europe at the quarter-final stage to Arsenal.
Also named in the squad is fellow Englishman Trent Alexander-Arnold. The former Liverpool full-back has found starts hard to come by since his summer move, with veteran Dani Carvajal preferred, but he featured for the final minutes of Madrid’s 2–1 weekend victory over Real Sociedad.
Alonso said Carvajal’s “competitive spirit” and “the influence he holds as a captain” are a vital asset for Real.
“He [Carvajal] was still recovering while we were in the United States, but now he’s fit enough to play, you can see what a positive impact he has on everyone around him,” added Alonso.
“We need to have those kinds of leaders in a dressing room, they’re crucial. Carva is an example of that. There are lots of others and we need that strong core to guide the rest.”