Jude Bellingham signed off his first statement after surgery on a long-standing shoulder injury with a three-word tease for Real Madrid supporters to latch onto: “See you soon.” Quite how soon remains to be seen.

Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso will already be thinking about next season and how to prepare for it, but will be conscious that one of his key players will not be present for it. Kylian Mbappe was