Hamstring Hurdle for Bellingham as Real Madrid Face City in Champions League Showdown
6 March 2026
Bellingham's Injury Clouds Real Madrid vs Manchester City
Uncertainty swirls around whether the English star Jude Bellingham will feature in Real Madrid's upcoming Champions League last-16 first leg against Manchester City, as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury.
Bellingham was in London to consult a specialist, accompanied by Real Madrid's medical staff, with plans to return to the Spanish capital over the weekend.
According to The Athletic, sources say he will miss the first leg, while Madrid hope the 22-year-old will be fit for the return on Tuesday, March 17, though a Madrid derby five days later is viewed as the more realistic comeback date.
He has not played since the early injury during the 2-1 win over Rayo Vallecano on February 1.
The Athletic reported last month that the injury is more complicated than initially indicated, with a six-to-eight week recovery timeline now in play, making an early March return unlikely.
With uncertainty over dates, it remains unclear if Bellingham will feature before the upcoming international break, the final camp before the World Cup finals.
England manager Thomas Tuchel is expected to name his squad on Friday, March 20, ahead of friendlies against Uruguay and Japan on March 27 and 31.
Tuchel said last month that Bellingham is pushing to be involved, but nothing is guaranteed.
This season the 22-year-old has appeared in 28 matches for Real Madrid across all competitions, tallying six goals and four assists.
Read also: A painful blow. Real Madrid reveals details of Bellingham's injury.
Punchline: If his hamstring had a calendar, it would still be on vacation.
Punchline 2: Madrid's doctors say the only thing recovering faster than him is the transfer gossip.
