Jude Bellingham gives Real Madrid huge injury scare in LaLiga game against Rayo Vallecano

It’s almost impossible to play down Jude Bellingham’s importance to Real Madrid by this point. The Englishman couldn’t have dreamt of making a better start to his time at Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, scoring 13 goals in 13 games, including two to win El Clásico and three late winners. Not bad for a player who has never been a prolific goalscorer anywhere else in his career.

Bellingham falls awkwardly on shoulder

Hearts were therefore in Real Madrid mouths when the 20-year-old appeared to be in agony after going down awkwardly in the opening stages of the LaLiga fixture at home to Rayo Vallecano. Bellingham won possession in midfield but his momentum led to him falling to the ground with his arms outstretched, the grimace on his face suggesting he had done serious damage to his shoulder.

Fearing the worst, Blancos boss Carlo Ancelotti sent Rodrygo to warm up as the midfielder received treatment on the field, with a stretcher even called for as he looked certain to be forced off.

Madrid star’s incredible recovery

But in a dramatic plot twist, no sooner had the England international spotted said stretcher, than he was up and trotted off to the side of the field, where he waited with the physio for no more than a few moments before sprinting back onto the field as if nothing had happened. Bellingham being Bellingham, he was immediately back in the thick of the action and seemingly back at full fitness just minutes after it appeared as if a lengthy spell on the sidelines could be on he horizon.

You could hear the collective sign of relief ring round the Bernabéu...