La Liga

VINICIUS JUNIOR sent a defiant message to Valencia fans as he scored twice on his return to the ground where he was racially abused.The Real Madrid forward, 23, rescued a point for Carlo Ancelotti’s men in a dramatic 2-2 draw on Saturday night.Vinicius Junior made a powerful stance on the site of his horrific racist abuseCredit: GettyThe Real Madrid star scored twice to rescue a draw for his side away at ValenciaCredit: GettyHe showed his name at the Mestalla, ten months on from his shocking last visitCredit: GettyLos Blancos trailed 2-0 before the Brazilian pulled one back just before half-time and grabbed the equaliser 14 minutes from time. And after both goals, he had a very clear response to the Valencia supporters. Following his first effort, Vinicius picked the ball out of the net and stood tall with a fist raised in the air – a powerful stance synonymous with anti-racism. Then later on he showed the Valencia fans his name on the back of his shirt, cupped his ears and stuck his tongue out. READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThat is because last May, Vinicius was the subject of shocking and vile racism on his previous visit to the Mestalla which led to seven arrests. The Brazilian reported abuse from home supporters during the 1-0 defeat, pointing out alleged offenders to the referee as the match was suspended for nine minutes.Vinicius, who had his red card from the match rescinded, tweeted afterwards: “It wasn’t the first time, nor the second, nor the third.”Racism is normal in LaLiga. The competition thinks it’s normal, the Federation does too and the opponents encourage it.Most read in Football”I’m so sorry. The championship that once belonged to Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Cristiano and Messi today belongs to racists.”A beautiful nation, which welcomed me and which I love, but which agreed to export the image of a racist country to the world.Jude Bellingham stunned as dramatic ‘winner’ for Real Madrid ruled out as referee blows final whistle with ball in air”I’m sorry for the Spaniards who don’t agree, but today, in Brazil, Spain is known as a country of racists.”And unfortunately, for everything that happens each week, I have no defence. I agree. But I am strong and I will go to the end against racists. Even if far from here.”There were also reports of further disgusting racist abuse by Valencia supporters – including a child – during last night’s match.Jude Bellingham thought he had scored a heroic winner for Real Madrid deep into injury time.However, when he headed in Brahim Diaz’s cross, the referee had controversially already blown the full-time whistle.That prompted a furious reaction from Real Madrid players and coaches alike.Bellingham and Antonio Rudiger were both shown a red card after the end – with the ref claiming the England midfielder said: “It was a f***ing goal.”READ MORE SUN STORIESAurelien Tchouameni then slammed the officials as “embarrassing” on X. But classy Bellingham put his disappointment aside to stop, posing for photos and signing autographs for young fans on his way out of the stadium,Vincius pointed out the supporters who abused him last MayCredit: GettyThe Brazilian rose highest at the back post to make it 2-2Credit: Getty More

JUDE BELLINGHAM unleashed an X-rated five-word rant at the referee before being sent off for Real Madrid.The midfielder was shown a straight red card by Jesus Gil after the full-time whistle in his side’s draw with Valencia.Carlo Ancelotti has revealed the five-word rant that got Jude Bellingham sent offCredit: GettyBellingham was shown a straight red card after Real Madrid’s draw with ValenciaCredit: GettyReal Madrid were denied a last-gasp winner as the referee blew the final whistle before Bellingham scored a late header.Gil was immediately surrounded by outraged players, including Bellingham, who was dismissed by the official.Carlo Ancelotti has now revealed what the England international said to the referee.Speaking after the match, the Real Madrid boss explained: “He didn’t insult the referee. He was respectful. He spoke in English and just said: ‘It was a f***ing goal’.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLReal Madrid had come back from 2-0 down to pull level thanks to a brace from Vinicius Junior.Seven minutes of stoppage time had been added, with a further minute played after a penalty was awarded to Valencia before being overturned by VAR.Los Blancos won a corner beyond the end of the extra minute, with Gil allowing it to be taken.However, he then blew the final whistle once the ball had been cleared, just as Brahim Diaz went to cross.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSBellingham then converted the ball in, only to realise the whistle had already gone.Responding to the incident, Ancelotti added: “It’s unprecedented.”‘He’s a class act’ say fans as they spot what Jude Bellingham did for group of kids despite disallowed goal controversyMeanwhile, Bellingham was hailed a “class act” by fans after stopping for selfies with a group of young supporters just minutes after his dismissal.Asked how his side can bounce back for their upcoming matches, Ancelotti said: “They just need to look at the table, we are where we want to be.”Real Madrid remain seven points clear of Girona at the top of LaLiga, with their title rivals facing Mallorca on Sunday.Bellingham later stopped for selfies with young fansCredit: XThe England midfielder was hailed a ‘class act’ for his act of kindnessCredit: X More

CLASSY Jude Bellingham brilliantly stopped for selfies with kids just minutes after his red-card controversy on the pitch.The English sensation, 20, was part of the Real Madrid side that dropped points away at Valencia last night.Jude Bellingham posed for photos with young fans minutes after his red cardCredit: XFans online hailed the ‘classy’ England starCredit: XTwo quickfire first-half goals put the hosts 2-0 up before a Vinicius Junior double got Los Blancos level.And Bellingham thought he snatched a last-gasp winner – only for the referee to blow the full-time whistle before the midfielder’s dramatic header.That prompted furious scenes from the Real Madrid players on the pitch and the ex-Birmingham ace was sent off for his angry reaction.But despite the late disappointment, the 2023 Golden Boy still showed his wonderful heart to make some children’s days.READ MORE ON BELLINGHAMVideo footage from inside the Mestalla afterwards shows Bellingham greeting a group of excitable youngsters waiting to meet their hero.The 27-cap Three Lions icon smiled for selfies and signed autographs for everyone waiting.That included a photo with four kids at the end – two of whom recreated his famous celebration with their arms out wide.Bellingham, decked out in his Real Madrid tracksuit and backwards cap, was happy to smile and engage with the adoring fans before heading out of the stadium.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAnd the superb gesture went down well online, too.The Spanish Football Podcast said: “This is brilliant from Jude Bellingham, by the way. Jude Bellingham stunned as dramatic ‘winner’ for Real Madrid ruled out as referee blows final whistle with ball in air”Had a winning goal ruled out. Sent off afterwards. “Still found time to stop and take photos with every kid who asked for one on the way out of Mestalla. Class.”Another replied: “Good on him, and that’s great to see.”A third added: “He’s a good human.”A fourth commented: “Class act.”And a final user typed: “Superclass.”Bellingham thought he won it! 😱The Englishman put the ball in the back of the net, but the final whistle sounded just seconds beforehand ❌Real Madrid players are FURIOUS 😤 pic.twitter.com/MvmLFkZdmH— Viaplay Sports UK (@ViaplaySportsUK) March 2, 2024

On the pitch, though, Bellingham’s frustrations boiled over in the chaotic end.Real Madrid failed to score from a corner deep into injury time and the ball was partially cleared before Brahim Diaz picked it up and headed out towards the corner.Ref Jesus Gil Manzano then blew his whistle to end the match just before Diaz crossed.Bellingham rose highest to nod in, running away in celebration before realising what had happened.Real Madrid players vented at Manzano as Carlo Ancelotti had to calm down his squad – and even some coaches. Former Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger was also dismissed in the aftermath.And Manzano wrote in his report after the game that Bellingham had “ran towards him in an aggressive manner”, before shouting, in English: ‘That’s a f***ing goal’.”READ MORE SUN STORIESJust minutes after the whistle, Aurelien Tchouameni slammed the officials when he wrote on X: “That’s embarrassing.”The draw costs Bellingham and Co the chance to go nine points clear of surprise package Girona at the top of LaLiga.Bellingham headed in after the full-time whistle had soundedCredit: ReutersReferee Jesus Gil Manzano revealed the midfielder blasted him in an X-rated rantCredit: AP More

VALENCIA star Mouctar Diakhaby suffered a horrific freak leg injury in his side’s draw with Real Madrid on Saturday.Players on both teams were left close to tears after the defender went down in an accidental collision with Vinicius Jr.Players were close to tears as Mouctar Diakhaby suffered a horror leg injury against Real MadridCredit: AFPThe Valencia star went down after an accidental collision by Vinicius JrCredit: AFPThe Brazilian was unable to watch the dramatic scenes unfurlCredit: GettyLuka Modric had his head in his handsReal’s Brazilian winger couldn’t look during the aftermath as medics rushed onto the field.And Croatia legend Luka Modric was left with his head in his hands as Diakhaby writhed in pain on the ground.The tragic incident occurred in the 86th minute of the 2-2 draw at the Mestalla, which ended in a red card for Jude Bellingham after his 99th minute winner was ruled out as the ref had already blown the final whistle.As Vinicius Jr went down following a challenge, he tumbled straight into the legs of Diakhaby.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe centre-back fell awkwardly on top of Vinicius Jr as one leg appeared to get caught.And he immediately yelled out in pain as players signalled straight away for medical help.Many stars on the pitch looked close to tears as the reality of the scene became clear.Vinicius Jr couldn’t look at Diakhaby in pain as he stared at the ground in disbelief instead.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSBrahim Diaz covered his mouth in shockCredit: GettyPlayers on both sides looked close to tearsCredit: GettyAntonio Rudiger appeared extremely distressedCredit: APDiakhaby was stretchered off the field by medicsCredit: APAnd teammate Modric buried his face in his hands as Valencia’s star defender was stretchered off the field.Antonio Rudiger also appeared greatly distressed, while Brahim Diaz covered his mouth in shock.Kylian Mbappe watches PSG clash with his mum after being subbed at HALF TIME with Real Madrid transfer Before Diakhaby’s injury, Valencia had been 2-0 up but were pegged back by Vinicius Jr’s brace.The visitors thought they bagged a winner in the 99th minute through England star Bellingham.He leapt highest in the box to head Diaz’s cross into the home side’s net.But his celebrations were brutally cut short after realising ref Jesus Gil Manzano had ended the game while the cross was in the air.Irate Bellingham was even shown a red card for his furious protests as the official headed off the Mestalla pitch.Madrid’s former Chelsea defender Rudiger was also dismissed in the aftermath.Manzano had initially indicated seven minutes of additional time after Diakhaby’s injury.That time had passed, but Carlo Ancelotti’s side were piling on pressure searching for a winner and Manzano blew with Madrid’s attack in full flow.The draw costs Bellingham and Co the chance to go nine points clear of surprise package Girona at the top of LaLiga.And now talisman Bellingham – the league’s top scorer with 16 goals – will face a ban.READ MORE SUN STORIESMadrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni wasted no time in slamming the officials on social media.Just minutes after the whistle, the Frenchman wrote on X: “That’s embarrassing.” More