Jude Bellingham was hailed by fans after his antics in Real Madrid’s 2-1 win over Valencia on Friday night.
The midfielder was spotted emptying goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski’s water bottle after Vinicius Jr was sent off in the 79th minute.
The Brazilian pushed the Valencia shot-stopper, after his braids were pulled while he was on the floor, and was subsequently dismissed by referee Cesar Soto Grado.
Vinicius was left incensed by the decision and, having already protested his innocence to the referee, had to be restrained by his team-mates.
Indeed, Antonio Rudiger was seen escorting the forward off the field with a member of the Madrid staff, Vinicius still shouting over his shoulder as he was dragged down the tunnel.
On Bellingham’s reaction to the incident, one fan on X wrote: ‘Gotta love Bellingham. Next England captain.’
Bellingham threw Stole Dimitrievski’s water bottle on the ground after Vinicius was sent off
Vinicius pushed the Valencia goalkeeper after his braids were pulled while he was on the floor
Bellingham went on to score a 95th-minute winner for Los Blancos to secure a 2-1 away win
Another said: ‘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,’ in response to other fans berating Bellingham’s behaviour.
A third wrote: ‘Seems entirely reasonable.’
Speaking after the game, Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti shared his sympathy with Vinicius Jr, and revealed that the club will protest the decision.
He said: ‘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’.
Luka Modric’s 85th-minute equaliser and Bellingham’s stoppage time winner ensured that Madrid avoided back-to-back defeats in La Liga for the first time since 2019.
The win took Los Blancos to 43 points, two above city rivals Atletico, albeit having played a game more.
