Real Madrid Midfield Blow: Bellingham & Ceballos Doubtful for Atletico Derby
Real Madrid’s midfield faces a prolonged period of disruption as both Jude Bellingham and Dani Ceballos are facing extended spells on the sidelines, casting doubt over their availability for the crucial La Liga derby against Atletico Madrid on March 22nd. The news adds to Carlo Ancelotti’s selection concerns as he navigates a demanding schedule encompassing league, Copa del Rey, and Champions League commitments.
Reports indicate that Bellingham’s participation in the derby appears highly unlikely, with the club adopting a cautious approach to avoid any risk of re-injury. This conservative strategy could see Real Madrid without one of their key attacking threats for a pivotal match in the title race. Ceballos’ situation is similarly bleak, having sustained an injury during the recent defeat to Osasuna. The club is prioritizing his full recovery, potentially delaying his return until the international break between March 23rd and 31st, and possibly even into April should a more cautious approach be deemed necessary.
The timing of these injuries is particularly concerning for Ancelotti, who had begun to establish a settled midfield partnership. Bellingham’s absence is a significant blow, given his impact since arriving at the Bernabéu. Ceballos, having recently found a consistent starting role, now faces another setback in his Real Madrid career. His injury comes after a period where he had finally cemented his place in the starting eleven, showcasing his ability on the ball and vision, qualities that had helped to improve Real Madrid’s control of possession and build-up play.
While the situation is challenging, there is some positive news on the injury front for Real Madrid. The condition of defender Ferland Mendy is reportedly improving, and he may be fit to return against Celta Vigo next week. Kylian Mbappé is expected to join training sessions soon and could be available for the first leg of the Champions League round of 16.
Ceballos’ latest injury is a muscle tear in the soleus muscle in his right leg, and he is expected to be sidelined for at least seven weeks. This diagnosis effectively rules him out of many key matches that will define Real Madrid’s season. Club president Florentino Perez is reportedly unhappy with Ceballos’ recent performances, particularly his errors against Osasuna, and the club is considering offloading him in the summer transfer window for a fee of around €10 million. His poor showing against Osasuna, where he apologized to fans for his mistakes, appears to have significantly damaged his prospects at the Bernabéu.
The injury to Ceballos, coupled with Bellingham’s ongoing absence, leaves Ancelotti with limited options in midfield. Aurelien Tchouameni has returned to form, and the manager will likely choose from Eduardo Camavinga, Fede Valverde, and Luka Modric to partner him. Valverde has previously been favored in midfield but has also impressed at right-back, providing Ancelotti with tactical flexibility.
The initial injury that sparked this latest wave of concern occurred during Real Madrid’s 1-0 Copa del Rey semi-final first leg win over Real Sociedad on February 26th. Ceballos was helped off the field at full-time following a collision with Takefusa Kubo. The injury is a hamstring tendon issue, and initial reports suggest a recovery period of around two months, potentially causing him to miss at least 11 games. This includes matches in La Liga, the Champions League, and potentially the Copa del Rey final, should Real Madrid progress.
Beyond the club level, Ceballos will also miss Spain’s upcoming UEFA Nations League double-header against the Netherlands in March. This further compounds the blow for both the player and national team manager Luis de la Fuente, who had been anticipating Ceballos’ return to the international squad.
The situation highlights the importance of squad depth, particularly during a congested fixture schedule. Ancelotti will need to carefully manage his resources and rotate his players to avoid further injuries and maintain a competitive edge in all competitions. The upcoming matches against Atletico Madrid, both in La Liga and the Champions League, will be crucial tests of Real Madrid’s resilience and ability to cope with adversity.
The club announced that Ceballos is suffering from an issue affecting the membrane in his left knee, requiring approximately two months of recovery. This injury occurred during the Copa del Rey semi-final clash with Real Sociedad, where he limped off after a challenge from Takefusa Kubo. He was reportedly in tears as he left the Reale Arena, indicating the severity of the injury and the emotional impact on the player.