Why isn’t Bellingham starting today for Real Madrid against Braga in the Champions League?

There can be no doubt about it - Jude Bellingham has been the most important player for Real Madrid this season. However, Los Blancos will have to make do without the Englishman - at least from the start - as they look to secure qualification for the 2023/24 Champions League round of 16 at the earliest opportunity against Braga on Wednesday.

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Bellingham’s incredible start with Madrid

The impact the 20-year-old has had since arriving at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu has been nothing short of sensational. 13 goals scored in 14 games in all competitions, including a double to win El Clásico in Barcelona and late winners in three different games, including this season’s Champions League group stage opener against Union Berlin.

What happened against Rayo Vallecano?

Carlo Ancelotti’s side haven’t played on home soil in the competition since then, but Bellingham will - initially - be watching on as they do so on Wednesday. Three days earlier, the former Borussia Dortmund man appeared to be in agony after going down awkwardly in the opening stages of the LaLiga fixture at home to Rayo Vallecano. He 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.

A stretcher was even called for as Bellingham received treatment for several minutes on the field, seemingly destined for a lengthy spell on the sidelines. But no sooner had said stretcher been picked up, than he made his way over to the side of the field, where he waited for a few moments before sprinting back on as if it had all been just an illusion.

What injury does Bellingham have?

After the game, however, Ancelotti had this to say on the injury: “I don’t think it will be anything serious and hopefully he’s back for Wednesday.” Since then, it has come to light that Bellingham had dislocated his shoulder and had it popped back into place and strapped up, allowing him to play the full 90 minutes against Rayo.

But in the hours after the game, swelling and inflammation set in and the pain increased. Tests carried out on Tuesday revealed the midfielder had suffered minor damage to his left shoulder, but nothing especially serious.

When we knew if Bellingham would face Braga?

Proof of that was his inclusion in the matchday squad for the game against Braga, which suggested he could play if there were a need for him to do so and he was then named amongst the substitutes shortly before kick-off.

With Madrid having started their Champions League campaign with three wins out of three and needing only a draw to qualify for the round of 16 against a team they are overwhelming favourites to beat, it is difficult to argue that leaving Bellingham out of the starting XI is a wise move.