Jude Bellingham proves Graeme Souness right as Real Madrid star escapes red card for shocking tackle
Jude Bellingham was lucky to avoid back-to-back red cards for Real Madrid on Sunday.
The midfielder was shown a yellow card for a reckless challenge during their 3-2 win over Celta Vigo.
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It comes after Bellingham was dismissed during the chaotic scenes at the end of last weekend's Copa del Rey final against Barcelona.
However, he avoided a ban after the red card was rescinded upon appeal by Real Madrid.
Bellingham came close to repeating the feat against Celta at the Santiago Bernabeu, though.
The England international lunged into a tackle on Fer Lopez during the closing stages of the first half.
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Lopez was left in agony on the floor after Bellingham's studs caught him above the ankle.
His teammates were enraged as they called for the referee to send off the 21-year-old.
Referee Jesús Gil Manzano instead brandished a yellow card to Bellingham, who had earlier assisted Kylian Mbappe for Real Madrid's second goal.
His flying challenge came just two days after Graeme Souness had commented on the former Borussia Dortmund man's attitude.
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Souness wrote in on Friday: "Watching Jude Bellingham at Real Madrid of late has been concerning.
"He had an incredible first season in Spain, looked a world-beater but now I'm afraid it looks like he's not listening anymore."
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The Liverpool legend also compared Bellingham to Barcelona starlet Lamine Yamal, adding: "I hope I'm wrong. But this year has been a disappointment, and you have to question some of Bellingham's behaviour, showing dissent, needlessly getting into trouble with referees.
"If he is listening to anyone, then their advice looks misguided. And, if he is putting this attitude down to what he thinks is overexuberant shows of passion, then he is also mistaken. It's a perfect example of what Yamal needs to avoid.
"It's not just Bellingham, of course, but I'd hate to see him continue going that way. He needs to look at videos of what he hasn't been doing right.
"I hate to harp on about it, but that's the value of having good senior professionals around. Those who have seen the signs before and who will put you straight.
"I'm sure at clubs like Real Madrid and Barcelona, there are many of those worth listening to. The message will always be ‘never believe you are too wise to stop learning and listening’."
Bellingham has now been booked 10 times this season, with four of his yellow cards coming in the league.
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Meanwhile, his assist for Mbappe was his 14th of the campaign across all competitions.
It takes his tally of goal contributions to 27 thanks to 13 goals in his 48 appearances this term.
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