Jude Bellingham breaks down in tears as he leaves the pitch in agony after suffering worrying injury just months ahead of the World Cup

Jude Bellingham was left in tears after being forced off with what appeared to be a hamstring injury on Sunday, creating a serious headache for England boss Thomas Tuchel. 

Bellingham looked in agony as he pulled up holding the back of his left leg just eight minutes into Real Madrid‘s LaLiga clash against Rayo Vallecano. 

The England midfielder had attempted to chase down a loose ball when suffering the injury and he was replaced by Brahim Diaz. 

Bellingham could be heard screaming in pain as his Real team-mates attempted to console him.

He then broke down in tears and could be seen covering his face with his shirt as he left the pitch.  

The hamstring issue will be a concern for England and Thomas Tuchel, with the Three Lions’ first World Cup game just over four months away. 

 Bellingham went down in agony holding the back of his left leg after chasing a loose ball

Bellingham looked devastated after picking up the problem just minutes into Real Madrid’s clash against Rayo Vallecano

After medical staff came on to the pitch to inspect Bellingham, both they and Real’s players signalled that the 22-year-old needed to be replaced.

Although a stretcher was brought closer, it wasn’t required, and the midfielder was able to leave the pitch by himself, although Spanish outlet Marca reported that the injury looked to be ‘significant’. 

The Bernabeu crowd were said to be left shocked by what had gone on and Bellingham’s setback comes with the former Borussia Dortmund star having played every game bar one since he returned to fitness in September after shoulder surgery.  

The 22-year-old, who has already racked up 304 career appearances, will undergo further tests, although it is expected that he will miss at least a few months.

This means that Bellingham will face a race against time to be fit for the World Cup, bringing back memories of past tournaments when key stars have faced fitness issues ahead of major tournaments.

A notable example of this happened in 2006 when Wayne Rooney broke a metatarsal ahead of the World Cup.

The then-Man United striker was rushed back and played in the tournament, but he was nowhere near match sharpness and failed to score before being sent-off in the quarter-final as England were knocked out.  

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