Jude Bellingham ankle scare gives Real Madrid an early-season worry

Jude Bellingham scored inside nine minutes in Real Madrid's 2-1 win at Espanyol vs Real Madrid, but the night ended with a fresh concern. He finished the match with ice on his ankle, and Madrid are now waiting for an update rather than celebrating the opener on its own.

Bellingham's start in the game

Bellingham opened the scoring inside nine minutes and was still on the pitch until the 80th minute. He also posted a 7.7 rating, which fits the view that he was one of Madrid's better players before the ankle issue became the headline.

Arda Güler supplied the assist for the goal, and Madrid's best attacking moment came early. That gave the team the platform for a 2-1 win, even if the final frame of the evening was Bellingham sitting with ice on the ankle.

The update Madrid are waiting for

Arancha Rodriguez of madriduniversal.com said: "Madrid return to training this Monday at 10 am. We’re keeping an eye on Bellingham, who we saw finishing the match against Espanyol with ice on his ankle."

She also added: "Let’s hope it was just a knock and that he’ll be available for Wednesday,"

The key point for Madrid is that the source material does not suggest anything more serious than a knock, but it is still enough to put the club on watch. Bellingham played 38 minutes in the fixture before being taken off, and the plan now is to see how he comes through training on Monday at 10 am.

Madrid still got the three points, but the focus has shifted quickly to the ankle. If the discomfort clears up, the opener against Espanyol will stay a useful contribution; if not, the club will be dealing with an unwanted fitness problem at the start of the campaign.