Jude Bellingham has come under fire and been labelled as ‘fake’ by a Spanish defender and former Manchester City player.
Recently, besides his stunning performance against the Citizens in the Champions League, which led to Los Blancos’ promotion to the next phase, the England star was highlighted by several controversial actions involving opponents and referees.
Bellingham appeared in a confrontation with Mallorca defender Pablo Maffeo, who has been well-documented as a long-standing rival to the current LaLiga title holders.
The players clashed during a Super Cup game in January, where Bellingham reportedly reacted to Maffeo’s claim that he would ‘knock out’ Vinicius Junior in ten seconds.
Now, in a recent interview with La Zona 10, Maffeo has taken an aim at Bellingham after he was asked who he preferred between him and Madrid’s No seven.
He said: ‘Do I tell you what I think or…? I swear I like Vinicius better, because you see him and he’s impulsive like me, he comes at you.
Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham has come under fire and been labelled as ‘fake’
The England international has been slammed by Mallorca defender Pablo Maffeo (left)
The Spaniard revealed he prefers long-standing rival Vinicius Junior to the England star
‘The other one (Bellingham) comes from behind. So, it’s a bit like what happens to me in real life: “Hey, you don’t like me. Fine, but say it to my face”.
‘If you play the gentleman, the polite boy, but then you insult or pick on your colleagues from behind, then you’re a fake.
‘Come face to face, it’s ok. I don’t like you, you already know that, but don’t act all nice and then…. So who do I prefer of the two? I prefer Vinicius because I know what he is like.’
His comment came after Bellingham received a two-match suspension after referee Juan Luis Munuera Montero handed him a straight red card during the game against Osasuna in LaLiga.
The referee believed the Los Blancos’ midfielder had told him ‘f*** you’, while the England star insisted he shouted ‘f*** off’ in frustrations at his own actions.
Following the end of the game, Bellingham said: ‘It’s clear that (the referee) made a mistake, there was a miscommunication. I remember the incident very well, but also I’ve seen the video.
‘The video doesn’t match the (referee’s) report… I hope the footage will be reviewed.’
He is expected to miss the upcoming game against bronze medal holders Girona, at home, and a tough trip to Real Sociedad.
His comment comes as Bellingham serves his two-match ban following his straight red card
The 27-year-old was part of Manchester City’s youth team system between 2013 and 2017
His disqualification comes at a challenging time for Los Blancos, after they recently lost their first place in LaLiga to Barcelona, with whom they are level on points but significantly lose in goal difference.
With a 10-man squad against Osasuna at Estadio El Sadar, Madrid could only secure a 1-1 draw, which dropped them to the second place in the standings.
Meanwhile, Maffeo enjoys a successful season for Mallorca, which currently sit seventh in the domestic league.
Previously, the defender was highlighted by Barcelona icon Lionel Messi as the toughest man-marker he had ever faced following their match in 2017, when the 27-year-old was in Girona.
He made only three appearances for Manchester City’s senior squad, having spent four years in their youth team system.
