Jude Bellingham branded 'shameless' by fans as replays catch Real Madrid star play-acting after claiming he was struck in face

Jude Bellingham branded 'shameless' by fans as replays catch Real Madrid star play-acting after claiming he was struck in face
By: dailymail Posted On: April 25, 2026 View: 39

Fans have criticised Jude Bellingham after the Real Madrid star was caught play-acting during his side's disastrous defeat by Real Betis. 

The 22-year-old Englishman was caught by cameras appearing to fake being struck in the face by former Manchester United midfielder Sofyan Amrabat.

The pair were battling for possession and the Moroccan was emerging with the ball when a stray arm went towards Bellingham. 

Slow-motion replays showed if there was any connection at all it was miniscule but Bellingham reacted dramatically, throwing both hands up to his face before falling to the turf on Friday night. 

He was given the foul and helped up by Amrabat, who looked in disbelief.  

It was a disappointing show of gamesmanship by the Real Madrid midfielder and plenty of fans were scathing about what they saw as a clear dive. 

Jude Bellingham went down clutching his face when there did not appear to be contact

One wrote: 'These Madrid players are not serious. Look at him falling like something happened to him.'

Another posted: 'So shameless and he still went down at first to demand pk.'

Dozens of other users called the action 'pathetic', with some calling for VAR to intervene when a player is caught feigning a foul or injury. 

It was an embarrassing moment for Bellingham and Real Madrid on yet another night to forget for Alvaro Arbeloa's side. 

The 1-1 draw all but ended their faint La Liga title hopes. 

Manuel Pellegrini's side kept pushing for an equaliser and it came in the dying seconds.

Bellingham looks dejected at full-time after Real Madrid were held to a draw on Friday

Ferland Mendy went down under a challenge from Antony and appealed for a foul but the referee waved play on and former Arsenal defender Hector Bellerín calmly side-footed home inside a packed penalty area to the delight of the 54,000 fans at Betis´ Estadio La Cartuja.

The result meant Madrid have failed to win five of their last six games in all competitions.

Betis, meanwhile, are in fifth place, six points ahead of Getafe and seven behind Atletico Madrid.

Meanwhile, Bellingham is relishing his return to the fold despite Real's issues. He is attempting to build up full fitness ahead of the World Cup this summer. 

Bellingham is likely to be a key man for Thomas Tuchel's side having been brought back into the squad for recent friendlies. 

But he faces competition for the attacking midfield role from Morgan Rogers, Cole Palmer and potentially Phil Foden if the manager decides to take him. 

Earlier this week, Bellingham enjoyed a trip to the Madrid Open, watching tennis with his mum, Denise and girlfriend, Ashlyn Castro. 

Jude Bellingham, his mum Denise (left) and girlfriend Ashlyn Castro (right) were pictured at the Madrid Open on Wednesday afternoon 

Spotted wearing an Adidas flat cap and collared white shirt, Bellingham sat alongside Castro, 27, who has over 240,000 followers on Instagram.

Castro, an American model, has been dating the English football star since last summer and they have been pictured together on numerous occasions. 

She was wearing a black leather jacket over a white dress in the crowd at the Madrid Open and pictured sharing a laugh with Bellingham between points. 

Denise was in the row behind in a hat and smart jacket for the afternoon's play. 

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