Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa has confessed that he’s uncertain about the extent of Jude Bellingham’s injury, sparking concerns that the England star could miss the World Cup.
Bellingham was seen clutching his left hamstring just eight minutes into Sunday’s match against Rayo Vallecano. He was visibly upset as he made his way down the tunnel, fuelling speculation that he may have sustained a serious injury.
When asked for an update post-match, Arbeloa responded. “We still don’t know anything about Bellingham,” he told reporters during a press conference.
It’s highly likely that Bellingham will be absent from Real’s upcoming clash with Valencia next Sunday.
Jude Bellingham injured during the Spanish League match against Rayo Vallecano. (Photo By Irina R. Hipolito/Europa Press via Getty Images)
Despite the huge setback, Madrid were able to get some positives from the match. Bellingham’s substitute, Brahim Diaz, played a key role in helping Real secure an early lead, setting up Vinicius Junior.
However, Vallecano retaliated shortly after half-time and were on the brink of securing a valuable draw.
Reduced to 10 men towards the end of the match, the visitors conceded a penalty in the eighth minute of stoppage time. Kylian Mbappe calmly slotted it home, leaving Vallecano devastated.
Reflecting on the less-than-convincing victory, Arbeloa admitted: “We need to improve with and without the ball. I repeat a lot that the ideal team is the one in which everyone thinks in the same way.
“We’re going to have plenty of time to instil this in the next two weeks.”
Madrid is now just a point behind first-place Barcelona in the La Liga title race, but Bellingham’s injury cast a shadow over the day.
