Bellingham ‘can’t play’ for England due to injury – Ancelotti

Carlo Ancelotti said Jude Bellingham’s shoulder would be assessed by England’s medical team before the international break, but insisted the midfielder “can’t play with the national team” after missing the Real Madrid’s 5-1 La Liga victory over Valencia on Saturday.

As Bellingham watched from the stands, Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo each scored twice for Madrid after Dani Carvajal opened the scoring at the Santiago Bernabeu, before Hugo Duro added a consolation goal for Valencia.

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Bellingham had initially been named in Madrid’s matchday squad, but withdrew earlier on Saturday, with the club saying he had “been diagnosed with anterior left shoulder instability as a result of his recent dislocation ” against Rayo Vallecano last weekend.

“It will be evaluated [by England]”, Ancelotti said in his post-match press conference. “If he didn’t play today, he can’t play with the national team. He will do specific work on his shoulder. After the break, he will be able to play again.”

England face Malta and North Macedonia in European Championship qualifying this month.

Bellingham had scored 13 goals in 13 appearances for Madrid before his injury, and Vinícius and Rodrygo were under pressure to deliver in his absence.

“Both [Vinícius and Rodrygo] returned to their best level,” Ancelotti said. “They just needed time to show their best qualities. In the last two games they have done well, combining well, searching for space and showing extraordinary quality. You could say they’re back.”

Rodrygo provided two assists for Vinícius, as well as his two goals.

“We needed [a game] like that, with a lot of goals,” Rodrygo told Real Madrid TV. “You have to be calm in front of goal. This is exactly what I lacked before, but today I was calm. This is how things happen the way you want them to.”

“[Vinícius and I] “We are both in our best form, after starting badly,” he said. “We are the Rodry and the Vini that the fans want to see again.”

Victory against Valencia means Madrid go into the international break second in La Liga, two points behind surprise leaders Girona, who won 2-1 at Rayo earlier on Saturday.