Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham is once again at the center of controversy after being caught swearing at a match official during the team’s 1-1 draw against Al-Hilal in their FIFA Club World Cup opener at Hard Rock Stadium. The incident, which occurred during a heated moment in the match, has reignited discussions about the young midfielder’s on-field conduct, drawing criticism from fans, pundits, and even England manager Thomas Tuchel.
The match marked the beginning of Real Madrid’s campaign in the revamped 2025 Club World Cup and the debut of new manager Xabi Alonso. Despite high expectations, Los Blancos struggled against a resilient Al-Hilal side, coached by Simone Inzaghi. The game saw Real Madrid take the lead through a 33rd-minute goal by young forward Gonzalo Garcia, only for Al-Hilal’s Rúben Neves to equalize with a penalty just before halftime. The drama peaked in stoppage time when Federico Valverde’s penalty was saved by Al-Hilal goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, securing a point for the Saudi Pro League side.
Bellingham’s outburst came in the 24th minute when he disagreed with a linesman’s throw-in decision. Frustrated, the 22-year-old was heard shouting, “Our ball, our ball, f*ck off,” as captured by pitch-side microphones. The incident went unpunished by referee Facundo Tello, prompting outcry from some quarters. Posts on X from accounts like @PrimeblaugranaX condemned the lack of disciplinary action, with one user claiming, “Bellingham insulted the referee again and received no card. They play by different rules.” However, such posts reflect fan sentiment rather than conclusive evidence of bias.
This is not the first time Bellingham’s temper has made headlines. In February 2025, he received a two-match La Liga ban for telling a referee to “f*ck off” during a 1-1 draw with Osasuna. He was also caught swearing at an official in Real Madrid’s Champions League loss to AC Milan in November 2024. Earlier incidents, including a red card against Osasuna for allegedly insulting a referee, have painted a pattern of confrontational behavior. England boss Thomas Tuchel recently admitted that even his mother finds Bellingham’s on-field antics “repulsive,” a comment that resurfaced after this latest episode.
Despite the controversy, Bellingham’s passion remains a double-edged sword. Supporters argue that his fiery demeanor fuels his exceptional talent, which has seen him score 37 goals and provide 27 assists in 95 games for Real Madrid since joining from Borussia Dortmund in 2023 for €113 million. Critics, however, warn that his lack of discipline could harm his reputation and the team’s cohesion. Tuchel’s remarks suggest that Bellingham’s aggression may negatively impact England’s national team, where he is a key figure.
Real Madrid’s performance against Al-Hilal was underwhelming, with the absence of star forward Kylian Mbappé due to fitness concerns exposing vulnerabilities in their attack. Bellingham, alongside Rodrygo and Vinícius Júnior, showed flashes of quality but failed to break down Al-Hilal’s robust defense, anchored by Kalidou Koulibaly and João Cancelo. The draw ended Real Madrid’s 11-match Club World Cup winning streak, putting pressure on Alonso’s squad ahead of their next Group H clash against Mexican side Pachuca on Sunday in Charlotte.