Real Madrid face a major squad change at the start of the 2025/26 season with Jude Bellingham set for a spell on the sidelines.

Xabi Alonso has a long list of issues to solve in the coming weeks on the back of a FIFA Club World Cup semi final exit at the hands of PSG.

Los Blancos were blown away by Luis Enrique’s side in New Jersey and they will be without Bellingham for a sustained period.

Real Madrid are locked in a battle with La Liga over their desire to push the start of their league season back by a week to August 24 and you can check out how Alonso’s team fare with the latest bookmaker app.

Whatever happens on that front, Alonso needs to fill the gap vacated by Bellingham, and that could require a creative solution from the former midfielder.

How long is Jude Bellingham out for?

Real Madrid confirmed in the final weeks of the 2024/25 the decision to send Bellingham for surgery on a long-standing shoulder issue.

The England international has been plagued by a persistent injury with previous attempts to reduce his pain falling flat.

Bellingham has regularly worn strapping and a brace on his shoulder, but all solutions have been short term, with Real Madrid knowing surgery is the only real outcome.

A deal was agreed to push the surgery back until after the Club World Cup, to have Bellingham involved to drive Real Madrid to a possible title, and his recovery window is expected to be around 3-4 months.

That will eat into a huge chunk of Real Madrid’s season and he may not be back in action at full power until the end of November.

Who will replace Jude Bellingham at Real Madrid?

Bellingham was one of seven players to start all six of Real Madrid’s games at the Club World Cup with Alonso generally sticking with a 4-2-3-1/4-3-3 formation.

That looks to be his plan for 2025/26 – at least until Bellingham returns – so he will need someone to fill the other central midfield spot alongside Fede Valverde.

Aurelien Tchouameni featured prominently at the tournament and should remain as a starter.

However, with Luka Modric moving on, and concerns over the defensive work done by Vincius Junior and Kylian Mbappe, Alonso needs a selfless operator to cover the absence.

Dani Ceballos has been heavily linked with a summer exit, but Alonso may now look to retain the former Arsenal loanee, as his midfield looks light on options.