Anna 
Jude Bellingham has quickly become one of La Liga’s standout players since joining in 2023, but outside of Real Madrid, his popularity seems limited. His interactions with referees have drawn criticism in the past, and last weekend, he was sent off for dissent by referee Jose Luis Munuera Montero during a match against Osasuna.
Despite Real Madrid’s appeal, the suspension stands, meaning Bellingham will miss key La Liga matches against Girona and Real Sociedad—a significant setback for the defending champions.
However, one player who has taken a lighter view of the situation is Pablo Maffeo. Maffeo, a frequent opponent of Real Madrid in recent years, has had several clashes with their players, particularly Vinicius Junior. Yet, in a recent interview with Zona 10 (via Diario AS), Maffeo made it clear that he prefers Vinicius over Bellingham.
“I like Vinicius better than Bellingham because he’s like me—hot-headed and aggressive. The other one is sneaky. In real life, if you don’t like me, that’s fine, but at least confront me directly. If you act all nice, but then insult me or mess with my teammates from behind, you’re being fake,” Maffeo said.
He continued, “If I have to choose between the two, I’ll choose Vinicius because at least I know where I stand with him.”
It’s clear Maffeo isn’t a fan of Bellingham, though the English midfielder is unlikely to be bothered by these comments as he focuses on his return to action after serving his suspension.
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