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Jude Bellingham was left in tears after picking up a hamstring injury in action for Real Madrid. The England star pulled up clutching the back of his leg just nine minutes into their La Liga clash against Rayo Vallecano, before being replaced by Brahim Diaz.

The 22-year-old midfielder had been attempting to get on the end of a through ball and while he was running, felt something in his left hamstring. Having just suffered the blow, the severity of the issue is unknown but, if serious, it could threaten his chances of featuring at the World Cup with England.

As he came off the pitch, Bellingham placed his shirt over his face with it also appearing as though he was very emotional. The 2026 World Cup is due to start in early June and if Bellingham requires surgery, it could be a race against time for him to feature in that tournament.

Bellingham has endured a challenging last 12 months with injury, form and major criticism impacting him. The former plagued his start to the new campaign with an ongoing shoulder problem fixed over the summer, but serious enough to keep him out of the first four league games.

It has also not been the easiest campaign for Real, with Xabi Alonso sacked just a few months into his tenure following the Super Cup defeat to Barcelona.

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Even after his exit, Los Blancos have continued to suffer major blows with a 4-2 defeat in the Champions League against Benfica forcing them to settle for a play-off spot.

The 22-year-old has, also, not really been able to get distracted from club troubles while away with his country. Bellingham has played just over 100 minutes under Thomas Tuchel during the last three international breaks with unnecessary criticism fired his way following wins over Serbia and Albania.

Even before his injury, Bellingham may have been facing a battle for his spot in the side with Morgan Rogers and Phil Foden in great form. The latter has struggled to make an impact in recent weeks but is still expected to be on the plane.

There's currently some doubt over Cole Palmer and Bukayo Saka with the former managing a groin issue since the start of the season. As for the Arsenal star, he picked up an injury ahead of the Premier League clash against Leeds.

Jarrod Bowen, Noni Madueke, Anthony Gordon and Eberechi Eze are just a few other attackers competing to be in Tuchel's final squad. The latter has struggled for minutes since joining the Gunners - with Jamie Carragher admitting he would leave him out.

He said: "For me, Phil Foden goes [to the World Cup], too. But you couldn't play them both [Foden and Palmer] in the same team. I think Rashford, and I had a decision... I don't think the outsiders have done enough.

"I decided to go with Anthony Gordon, he has been the go-to guy. He needs to add more goals, but him ahead of [Noni] Madueke, who I don't think will play enough football before then."