Real Madrid's midfield maestro, Jude Bellingham, found himself at the center of attention as he was withdrawn from the pitch 15 minutes before the end of the Champions League semi-final first leg against Bayern Munich.
The match ended in a 2-2 draw, with Bellingham's untimely exit leaving Real Madrid chasing an equalizer.
Despite an impressive track record of 21 goals and 10 assists in 36 appearances this season, Bellingham's physical struggles became apparent during the game, particularly after the hour mark.
Real Madrid's manager, Carlo Ancelotti, shed light on the situation, revealing that Bellingham experienced cramps, forcing him to make the substitution.
Ancelotti acknowledged that Bellingham wasn't performing at his best level, but he also noted that the entire team faced challenges during the match. Bellingham's absence from the La Liga win over Real Sociedad last Friday due to a stomach illness likely contributed to his physical limitations in the Champions League clash.
Despite not being initially named in the travelling squad for the match against Real Sociedad, Bellingham joined his teammates in San Sebastian as an unused substitute.
This absence may have impacted his performance in the subsequent Champions League fixture against Bayern Munich.
Looking ahead, with Real Madrid set to face Bayern Munich at home in just eight days, there is speculation that Bellingham may be allowed additional time to rest and recover.
Ancelotti could opt to rest Bellingham for the weekend visit of Cadiz in La Liga, leveraging the team's comfortable lead in the domestic standings.
Real Madrid currently leads the way in La Liga, boasting an 11-point cushion over Barcelona with only 15 points left to play for. This substantial lead affords Ancelotti the flexibility to rest key starters, as demonstrated in the recent match against Real Sociedad.
