Carlo Ancelotti forced to substitute Jude Bellingham 'after La Liga ref kept repeating four-word phrase'

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti was forced to substitute Jude Bellingham during their 4-1 win over Villarreal after the referee kept repeating a four-word phrase, a report has claimed.

Real secured a big victory at the Bernabeu, with Bellingham, Rodrygo, Luka Modric and Brahim Diaz all getting on the scoresheet.

It was Bellingham's 13th La Liga goal of an incredible season to date - he is the division's top scorer - and meant that Real regained the lead at the top of the table.

The game didn't all go smoothly for Ancelotti's side, though, with centre-back David Alaba being substituted in the first half with a suspected knee injury. It was later confirmed that the Austrian had suffered an ACL injury which will see him miss the rest of the campaign.

There was also a moment involving Bellingham, according to Spanish outlet AS.

The 20-year-old England international was booked on 67 minutes and substituted 11 minutes later, with Dani Ceballos replacing him in midfield for the rest of the game.

AS claim that the referee, Jorge Figueroa Vasquez, was 'mad' at Bellingham during the game, and kept repeating the phrase, 'Be careful with me', every time the midfielder was involved in an incident.

It is added that, because the England star had already been booked, Ancelotti took the decision to substitute him to avoid a possible second yellow card being brandished by the Spanish official.

‼️ Figueroa Vazquez was mad at Jude Bellingham last night, the referee kept repeating "be careful with me" everytime Jude was involved. This is why Ancelotti subbed Bellingham off, preventing a possible red card. @diarioas #rmalive pic.twitter.com/6yPySmcRWp

— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) December 18, 2023

Bellingham has currently picked up three yellow cards in the season, and if he accumulates two more before matchweek 19 - Real have played 15 minutes so far - he will incur an automatic one-match ban.

Another reason for the substitution is the shoulder problem that Bellingham has been managing throughout recent weeks.

And speaking to reporters after the Villarreal win, Ancelotti said (quotes via Goal): "Bellingham has been the protagonist because he has played very well and fought at all times.

"I have removed him to avoid problems. He has had a problem with his shoulder and when I can take minutes away from him, I'm going to do it."