MADRID (AP) — Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham underwent shoulder surgery Wednesday and was expected to miss the start of the upcoming season.
The club said in a brief statement that the England international needed surgery “to address recurrent dislocation of his left shoulder.” The procedure was “successful,” it added.
“Bellingham will now undergo a period of rehabilitation, prior to returning to training and starting his recovery," the club's statement said.
Madrid did not say for how long Bellingham will be sidelined, but Spanish media reported he could be out two to three months.
Madrid opens its La Liga campaign on Aug. 19 against Osasuna. He is also expected to miss some Champions League games and likely England’s World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia in September.
The 22-year-old Bellingham had been nursing the shoulder injury since 2023 but was delaying the surgery to avoid missing time with Madrid and England. He had been able to play while wearing a brace.
Bellingham played at the Club World Cup in finishing his second season with Madrid after joining from Borussia Dortmund.
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Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham (5) races after a foul during the Club World Cup semifinal soccer match between PSG and Real Madrid in East Rutherford, N.J., Wednesday, July 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham and his team mates react after the Club World Cup semifinal soccer match between PSG and Real Madrid in East Rutherford, N.J., Wednesday, July 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Themus Fulks hit a jumper with 11 seconds left to give No. 25 UCF a 73-72 victory over Cincinnati on Sunday.
Riley Kugel scored 19 points for the Knights, who held on after blowing a five-point lead with 2:22 to play. Fulks, who came in 13th in the country in assists at 6.6 per game, had 12 assists and six points.
The Bearcats had a chance to win, but Jalen Celestine's 3-pointer at the buzzer missed off the back iron.
Jamichael Stillwell added 15 points for the Knights (13-2, 2-1 Big 12), and backup big man Jeremy Foumena had 12 points and eight rebounds.
Moustapha Thiam, who transferred from UCF to Cincinnati in the offseason, was booed on every touch and finished with a career-high 24 points on 10-of-15 shooting for the Bearcats (8-8, 0-3). Jizzle James added 14 points and Baba Miller had 13.
The game was tight throughout. UCF led 33-32 at halftime and its biggest second-half lead was six points. After the Knights went ahead 71-66 with 2:22 to play, Thiam responded with a hook shot and two free throws, and Miller's layup with 30 seconds left put the Bearcats ahead 72-71.
Cincinnati shot only 3 of 19 (15.8%) from 3-point range. UCF, meanwhile, shot 57.7% from the floor and 6 of 14 from 3.
The Bearcats kept it close thanks to their defense and rebounding. Cincinnati forced 14 turnovers for 17 points and grabbed 10 offensive rebounds for 15 second-chance points.
Cincinnati: Hosts Colorado on Wednesday.
UCF: At Kansas State on Wednesday.
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Central Florida center Jeremy Foumena (0) goes up to shoot between Cincinnati forward Baba Miller (18) and center Moustapha Thiam, right, during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Central Florida forward Jamichael Stillwell (4) celebrates after getting the win as Cincinnati center Moustapha Thiam (52) and guard Jizzle James (2) look on during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Central Florida guard Themus Fulks goes up to shoot the game-winning shot as Cincinnati forward Baba Miller (18) defends during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
