The number of matches Real Madrid midfielder will miss through hamstring injury | OneFootball

Jude Bellingham left the Santiago Bernabeu in tears last evening during the team’s clash against Rayo Vallecano in La Liga.

It was just the 10th minute of the game when the Englishman went down clutching his thigh, forcing an immediate substitution from Alvaro Arbeloa to replace him with Brahim Diaz.

Early reports suggested a hamstring injury with a rumoured period out of three weeks. Tests conducted later in the day have provided more clarity on the nature and extent of his setback.

Out for a month

After the game, Real Madrid confirmed that the midfield star had suffered a hamstring injury, specifically to the semitendinosus muscle of his thigh.

“After the 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 of his left leg,” the official update read.

While his recovery will dictate his return, Jose Luis Sanchez relays that the player is expected to be out for one month, which comes as a massive blow to Arbeloa’s plans.

He is, thus, set to miss the team’s next six games across February. 

Bellingham is set to miss six matches for Real Madrid. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

In La Liga, Bellingham will be unavailable for Real Madrid’s games against Valencia, Real Sociedad, Osasuna and Getafe.

Compounding the situation this weekend is the fact that Vinicius Jr. will also be unavailable, leaving the manager without two mainstays.

Further, Bellingham is ruled out of both legs of Real Madrid’s game against Benfica later this month, which comes as a crushing update.

After all, the team were already set to feature in the first game without Rodrygo and Raul Asencio, and now missing Bellingham for both legs is devastating.

In the Englishman’s absence, one will expect the likes of Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni, Federico Valverde and Arda Guler to handle responsibilities in midfield.

There is also a strong case for Dani Ceballos, who has been sidelined by the coach in recent games.