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Bellingham and Rüdiger reflect Real Madrid fury in mixed zone: “It’s a joke”
TL;DR
Real Madrid players, including Jude Bellingham, expressed frustration over Eduardo Camavinga's controversial red card during the UEFA Champions League match against Bayern Munich. Bellingham called the decision 'a joke,' while Antonio Rüdiger chose not to comment further.
MUNICH, GERMANY - APRIL 15: referee Slavko Vincic (SVN) shows red card to Eduardo Camavinga of Real Madrid , Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid Kilian Mbappe of Real Madrid Jude Bellingham of Real Madrid disappointed during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Quarter-Final Second Leg match between FC Bayern München and Real Madrid CF at Football Arena Munich on April 15, 2026 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by EyesWideOpen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The anger in the mixed zone said everything. Jude Bellingham, walking past journalists toward the team bus, delivered a two-word verdict on Eduardo Camavinga’s dismissal: “It’s a joke.”
Antonio Rüdiger, asked for his reaction, declined entirely. “It’s better I don’t speak tonight,” the German said, and kept walking.
The second yellow, for time-wasting after conceding a free kick, infuriated Real Madrid’s players in a way the result alone could not fully explain. They had come to Munich needing three goals, scored three, and led at the break. The tie was level on aggregate. Then one moment from Camavinga, only on the pitch for 24 minutes, changed everything.
Álvaro Arbeloa, speaking to the media afterwards, did not spare the referee. “All the work and effort went down the drain because of a decision like the one the referee made,” he said. “No one understands why a player would be sent off for a play like that.”
He went further, suggesting Slavko Vinčić may not have even known Camavinga was already on a yellow — and that Bayern’s players had to remind him. “That’s a double mistake,” Arbeloa said.
No other players spoke to journalists as they headed straight for the team bus to begin the journey back to Spain, with no need to hang around. The players are set for a period of rest and time off before beginning preparations for their next game, at home to Alavés in La Liga next Tuesday.
Q&A
What led to Eduardo Camavinga's red card in the UEFA Champions League match?
Eduardo Camavinga received a second yellow card for time-wasting after conceding a free kick, which angered his teammates and changed the match dynamics.
How did Jude Bellingham react to the red card incident during the match?
Jude Bellingham expressed his frustration by stating it was 'a joke' as he walked past journalists in the mixed zone after the game.
What was the significance of the match for Real Madrid against Bayern Munich?
Real Madrid needed to score three goals to advance, which they achieved by leading at halftime, but Camavinga's red card shifted the momentum of the game.
