Jude Bellingham Has Entered Real Madrid Squad For The Champions League

Jude Bellingham is expected to play in the opening match of the Champions League when Real Madrid host Marseille (Instagram/@judebellingham).

JAKARTA - Jude Bellingham has been included in the list of 23 Real Madrid players for the opening match of the 2025/2026 Champions League against Marseille on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, early morning WIB.

The England midfielder has been out of action since July 2025, having been undergoing surgery for shoulder problems that have been bothering him since 2023.

Bellingham returned to training last week and has now been included by coach Xabi Alonso into the squad for the match at the Bernabeu.

"I want to be a little optimistic and hope (Bellingham) can return before October 2025. He has started to do some things with the team, without physical contact, because we still have to protect his shoulders."

"However, Jude has made tremendous efforts in his recovery. Let's see if he can move forward. We look forward to it," said Alonso.

Bellingham underwent his left shoulder surgery on July 16, 2025, a few days after Real Madrid's participation in the 2025 Club World Cup ended - being knocked out in the semifinals by Paris Saint-Germain.

Speaking during the 2025 Club World Cup - where he has always started in every Real Madrid match - Bellingham says he is fed up with the inconvenience associated with the injury.

He wore a protective guard and said that his operation had been awaited for a long time since he first experienced a shoulder dislocation in November 2023.

After the operation, ESPN reported that Bellingham is expected to be out of action for between 10 and 12 weeks, meaning he will return to play next month, but his recovery is ahead of schedule.

Meanwhile, midfielder Eduardo Camavinga was also included in the Real Madrid squad, having previously missed this season due to ankle problems.