Real Madrid’s thrilling 2-1 victory over Valencia on Friday night was marked by an unexpected moment involving Jude Bellingham, which quickly caught the attention of fans.
The Controversial Moment
The midfielder’s actions came into focus when Vinicius Jr. was sent off in the 79th minute.
After a confrontation with Valencia goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski, where Vinicius pushed the keeper following a pull on his braids while he was on the ground, the Brazilian was handed a red card.
Furious over the decision, Vinicius couldn’t hold back, arguing his innocence with the referee and having to be physically restrained by his teammates.
Antonio Rudiger was seen ushering Vinicius off the field, with the forward continuing to shout as he was escorted down the tunnel.
Bellingham’s Response
Amidst the chaos, Bellingham’s actions became the highlight for many fans.
While emotions were high on the pitch, Bellingham was spotted draining Dimitrievski’s water bottle—seen by some as a cheeky gesture in the midst of the drama.
Fans on social media had mixed reactions, with one fan praising Bellingham: “Gotta love Bellingham. Next England captain.”
Another fan chimed in: “All these people in the comments will be up his a*** come the World Cup next year. I love that we finally have a player with a bit of an edge to his game.”
A third fan seemed to think Bellingham’s move was entirely reasonable.
Manager’s Reaction
Real Madrid’s manager, Carlo Ancelotti, expressed sympathy for Vinicius after the game and confirmed that the club would be appealing the red card decision.
“It was not a red card for Vinicius Jr. We will appeal. The goalkeeper pushed him, and Vini responded. It should’ve been a yellow for both and that’s it,” Ancelotti stated.
A Crucial Victory for Madrid
Despite the off-field tensions, Madrid managed to avoid a second consecutive La Liga defeat, thanks to Luka Modric’s equalizer in the 85th minute and Bellingham’s dramatic stoppage-time winner.
This victory propelled Los Blancos to 43 points, putting them two points ahead of rivals Atletico, though having played one more game.
So, what’s next for Bellingham, Madrid, and Vinicius Jr.? Time will tell.