Real Madrid to bench midfield superstar for Mallorca and Bayern Munich clashes

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Madrid Universal

·2. April 2026

Real Madrid to bench midfield superstar for Mallorca and Bayern Munich clashes

Real Madrid are set to take a measured approach with Jude Bellingham as the midfielder continues his recovery, with no intention of rushing him back into the starting lineup.

According to recent updates from AS, Bellingham will not start the upcoming clash against Mallorca and is also highly unlikely to feature from the beginning in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-final against Bayern Munich.

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The situation around Bellingham may seem slightly contradictory at first glance.

He has returned to the squad and has been medically cleared to play, yet he is still not considered fully match-ready.

The explanation, however, is that being available and being at peak condition are two very different things.

The England call-up

During the recent international break, Bellingham travelled to London to join up with the national team but did not feature in any matches.

The decision was deliberate, aimed at avoiding any unnecessary strain that could risk a setback.

Bellingham will not start against Mallorca. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

The midfielder has only just returned from a muscle injury sustained earlier this year, specifically a tear in the muscle of his left leg.

Since making his comeback, his involvement has been minimal, with just 17 minutes of action under his belt.

Will not start

For now, Bellingham will be included in matchday squads and may see limited action off the bench, but he will not be rushed into a starting role.

In the meantime, Real Madrid will continue to rely on the midfield structure that has kept performances stable in his absence.

This means Federico Valverde is expected to operate on the right, while Aurelien Tchouameni and Thiago Pitarch will anchor the midfield. Arda Guler is also set to play a key role on the left.

While Bellingham is seen as an undisputed starter once fully fit, Real Madrid are choosing control over urgency, ensuring their star midfielder returns at full strength.