Jude Bellingham suffers hamstring scare for Real Madrid ahead of World Cup

Jude Bellingham suffered a hamstring injury scare for Real Madrid during their La Liga clash with Rayo Vallecano on Feb 1, 2026, leaving the Santiago Bernabeu in visible pain and exiting the match early.

The 22-year-old lasted less than 10 minutes after chasing a long ball down the right channel, with a reported muscle pop forcing him to clutch the back of his left leg, crumple to the turf and receive immediate on-field treatment.

Kylian Mbappé signalled for a substitution and Brahim Diaz was introduced as an early replacement, with Bellingham leaving the field with his shirt pulled over his face and reportedly almost in tears. Further tests have been ordered before a full diagnosis and timeline can be given.

The scare compounds a frustrating 2025-26 season for Bellingham, who missed the start of the campaign after shoulder surgery in summer 2025. Real interim boss Álvaro Arbeloa had recently said he wanted "the best on the pitch" and had handed Bellingham, Thibaut Courtois, Fede Valverde, Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior every minute of the club’s last four matches.

On the international front, the injury comes as England count down to the 2026 World Cup and with manager Thomas Tuchel warning that no player is guaranteed a place. With final pre-World Cup friendlies due in March, Bellingham’s selection may depend on test results, recovery timescales and his past performances.

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