“You are a piece of s**t” - Jude Bellingham appears to launch X-rated verbal attack on referee during Real Madrid win over Espanyol

Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham appeared to launch into an X-rated verbal attack at the referee during his side's 4-1 win over Espanyol in La Liga. The English midfielder and referee Jose Luis Munuera Montero had a heated exchange in the game that saw the 21-year-old get booked. Bellingham was withdrawn shortly after his verbal outburst.

Here is the video of the incident, with the midfielder reportedly saying (via @centregoals):

"You are a piece of sh*t."

Real Madrid went on to win the game 4-1, with Dani Carvajal, Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe getting on the scoresheet.

Jude Bellingham has played 339 minutes for Los Blancos spread across four games this season and has one assist to his name. The Englishman will hope he can match his impressive returns from last season, which saw him bag 23 goals and 13 assists in 42 club games.

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Jude Bellingham on comparisons to Real Madrid legend, Zinedine Zidane

Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham said he was not at the club to be the next iteration of Zinedine Zidane but to create his own legacy. The Englishman wears the #5 jersey that the iconic midfielder sported during his time with Los Blancos between 2001 and 2006.

Zidane won the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, a La Liga crown, and two Spanish Super Cups in 227 games for Madrid. He scored 49 goals and provided 67 assists in those matches.

Speaking to UEFA (via SportBible), Bellingham said:

“I’m not coming here to be Zidane, he was amazing. I’m trying to be Jude Bellingham who continues the number 5 legacy. I enjoy being a Real Madrid player, through the good times and the bad times, when you have to pick yourself up and try again. Everything to do with playing at the highest level at such a big club is incredible for me. You have to enjoy the feeling of being in the trenches and know that it's not a good time but take responsibility and help the team out of those bad moments."

He concluded, saying:

"I've managed to do that and the team has managed to do it with other players stepping up and that's why we've done so well. Those games when it looked like they were going to be draws or defeats and someone has managed to turn things around. It's a great feeling.”

Despite playing in four games, Jude Bellingham has yet to score his first goal for Real Madrid this season. The club next face Deportivo Alaves on September 24.