Jude Bellingham has rare injury that around '10 per cent' of people can never suffer
Bellingham has suffered an injury.
Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham's injury could never be suffered by approximately 10 per cent of the world's population, according to a new report.
It was announced earlier this week that Bellingham would miss the first month of the La Liga season after suffering a calf injury.
The issue will also keep him out of England's Nations League fixtures next month, which are interim manager Lee Carsley's first matches in charge of the senior team.
Taking to Instagram, Bellingham wrote: "Nothing I hate more than missing games but trying to see the positive side and maybe my body is telling me it needs a bit more rest after a busy year.
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"I'm very frustrated but I'll be supporting the lads like a fan until I can re-join them again in my best and strongest form."
Real Madrid confirmed in an official statement that Bellingham had suffered an injury to the plantaris muscle in his right leg.
The plantaris muscle starts behind the knee, and contains a long thin tendon which drops down towards the Achilles.
While it may sound like a fairly common injury on the face of it, it is actually fairly rare - and the differing makeup of our bodies means approximately 10 per cent of the world's population physically cannot suffer the injury.
According to Marca, around a tenth of people do not have a plantaris muscle.
There is a wide debate as to the muscle's actual function, as certain functions are not affected by a plantaris muscle injury.
But the injury has clearly had an impact on Bellingham, as he will be unavailable for Real Madrid's opening games of the season.
His absence provides a further headache for Real boss Carlo Ancelotti ahead of his side's second game of the campaign against Real Valladolid.
Midfielder Eduardo Camavinga is out with a knee injury, while left-back Ferland Mendy is suspended.
Long-term absentee David Alaba is still recovering from the serious knee injury he suffered in January, but is now nearing a return. The Austrian was named on the bench for June's Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund, but was not in a position to play any part in the match.
Ryan Smart