Why Is Jude Bellingham Not Playing Tonight for Real Madrid vs Real Oviedo?

Real Madrid return to the Santiago Bernabéu on Thursday night for their La Liga meeting with Real Oviedo.

With the La Liga title race already over, Alvaro Arbeloa named a rotated Real Madrid side for Thursday's meeting with Real Oviedo at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Thibaut Courtois started in goal behind a back four of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Raul Asencio, David Alaba and Alvaro Carreras, while Aurelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga and Brahim Diaz featured in midfield.

Vinicius Junior, Gonzalo Garcia and Franco Mastantuono led the attack, with Jude Bellingham, Antonio Rudiger, Dani Carvajal and Kylian Mbappe all beginning on the bench.

ederico Valverde, Rodrygo, Arda Guler and Ferland Mendy remained unavailable due to injury concerns.

Why is Jude Bellingham Not Playing Tonight?

One notable absence from the starting lineup was Jude Bellingham, with the England international named among the substitutes against Real Oviedo.

Bellingham took a painful blow during Real Madrid's recent El Clasico defeat to Barcelona, when Eric Garcia caught him in the face during a challenge that later became a talking point after the match.

The midfielder needed medical attention that night, and Madrid appear to be taking a careful approach with him ahead of the final weeks of the season.

While there has been no major injury announcement from the club, Bellingham may simply be getting some rest after a demanding stretch of matches.

The midfielder has already dealt with several physical problems over the last two seasons, including shoulder and muscular issues, and Madrid do not want to risk making matters worse with little left to play for domestically.

Real Madrid's starting XI against Oviedo featured several changes, with Brahim Diaz, Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni starting in midfield, while Vinicius Junior led the attack alongside Gonzalo Garcia and Franco Mastantuono. Kylian Mbappe also began the night on the bench after recently recovering from a hamstring problem.

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This story was originally published May 14, 2026 at 1:07 PM.