Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham is expected to be sidelined for up to 12 weeks after undergoing surgery on a recurring left shoulder dislocation, the club announced on Wednesday.

“Jude Bellingham has undergone successful surgery for a recurrent dislocation of his left shoulder,” Real Madrid confirmed in an official statement. “He will now begin a period of rehabilitation before resuming training.”

Although the club did not specify a recovery timeline, Spanish media reports estimate the 22-year-old will need around three months to return to full fitness.

Bellingham has been managing the injury since dislocating his shoulder during a La Liga match in November 2023, wearing a protective brace beneath his shirt in the months that followed. He postponed surgery to continue playing through the Club World Cup, where Real Madrid—coached by Xabi Alonso—reached the semi-finals.

“I’ve reached a point where I’m just fed up with the brace, constantly having to adjust it, and other players pulling on it,” Bellingham said during the tournament.

The England international will miss several key fixtures, including the La Liga derby away to Atletico Madrid in late September and Real Madrid’s opening two Champions League group games. He’s also ruled out of England’s World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia on September 6 and 9.

If his recovery stays on track, Bellingham could return in time for the season’s first El Clasico against Barcelona in late October.