Bellingham left off Real Madrid's 2026 calendar
Real Madrid have raised eyebrows by excluding Bellingham from their 2026 official club calendar - just a year after he featured prominently on the cover of the 2025 edition. The £10.99 calendar instead highlights younger stars such as Arda Guler and Dean Huijsen, as well as long-serving figures like Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao, per The Sun.
Bellingham’s omission comes as his once-guaranteed starting role has been placed in jeopardy following a delayed return from shoulder surgery. Since his comeback in September, he has started just one of Real’s last three matches - the 5-2 derby defeat to Atletico Madrid - and has been used as a substitute in subsequent games. Alonso has publicly praised his versatility but appears reluctant to disrupt a midfield currently thriving with in-form alternatives.
Bellingham frustrated by Real Madrid and England snubs
Bellingham was also left out of Thomas Tuchel’s latest England squad for the October international break, further compounding his recent frustrations. Tuchel cited a "lack of rhythm" and incomplete fitness as reasons for the decision, insisting that Bellingham remains one of the world’s best midfielders but needs time to regain his sharpness. The combination of club uncertainty and international omission has created an unfamiliar spell of doubt for a player who just months ago was seen as indispensable for both teams.
Bellingham’s exclusion from the calendar - a symbolic but significant marketing move - underscores a shift in his status at Real Madrid. Once viewed as the club’s poster boy following a stunning debut season under Carlo Ancelotti, his stock has waned slightly amid tactical reshuffles and a slower-than-expected recovery from injury. The new regime under Alonso has seen competition intensify in midfield, with emerging stars like Guler and Franco Mastantuono seizing opportunities.
Alexander-Arnold also missing from the calendar
Bellingham’s fellow England international, Trent Alexander-Arnold, who joined Real Madrid from Liverpool in the summer, is also missing from the calendar lineup. His omission from Real Madrid’s 2026 calendar adds another layer to the story, as the former Liverpool star has endured a stop-start beginning to his career in Spain. The 26-year-old right-back completed a high-profile move to the Bernabeu in the summer, with Madrid paying an £8.4 million fee to secure his early release from Anfield before his contract expired. His arrival was heralded as a coup for Madrid, with club president Florentino Perez describing him as a "transformative signing" capable of redefining their full-back role.
However, his debut season has been blighted by injury. Just minutes into his Champions League debut against Marseille, Alexander-Arnold suffered a severe hamstring injury to his left leg, later diagnosed as a tear to the biceps femoris muscle. The setback was expected to sideline him for six to eight weeks, ruling him out of key fixtures, including the Madrid derby and a potential reunion with Liverpool in Europe. The injury came at a particularly inopportune time, disrupting his adaptation to La Liga and delaying the development of his understanding with new teammates.
His absence has left Alonso short of options at right-back, with veteran Carvajal also missing spells through injury. Madrid have been forced to reshuffle defensively, occasionally deploying midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni and youngster Vinicius Tobias as emergency full-backs.
Real Madrid continue to support the England duo
For Bellingham, the immediate focus will be on regaining full fitness and reclaiming his starting position at Real Madrid. Alonso has reiterated his faith in the England international, but with competition fierce and results under scrutiny, the midfielder will need to prove his match sharpness quickly. His return to consistent form could also determine whether he reclaims his place in the England squad ahead of next year’s World Cup.
As for Alexander-Arnold, Real Madrid will continue to monitor his recovery closely before reintroducing him to first-team action later this year. Los Blancos remains optimistic that both players will play pivotal roles in the long term, even if their recent omissions have prompted debate. With the season entering a decisive phase, Real Madrid supporters will be eager to see the English duo back in full flight - and back in the headlines for all the right reasons.