'What balls!' - Real Madrid players amazed by courage of team-mate after being booed in Copa del Rey win

Madrid star Aurelien Tchouameni was jeered by some of his own fans at Santiago Bernabeu on Thursday in the 5-2 win over Celta Vigo but despite that tough reception, the Frenchman continued on. According to Marca, the 24-year-old's display earned the respect of his Los Blancos team-mates, who have grown more empathetic towards his situation. The report added Madrid's squad thought, "What balls you have!"

Tchouameni has come under fire of late for his performances at centre-back, with the France international having a particularly tough night in the 5-2 loss to Barcelona in the Supercopa de Espana earlier this month. Tchouameni is a defensive midfielder by trade but has been playing at centre-back due to Madrid's centre-back shortage. His underwhelming recent displays led some supporters to boo him but he maintains the backing of the Madrid squad and manager Carlo Ancelotti.

On Tchouameni, he said: “He played a good game. He returned to his position and helped a lot in the defensive aspect, doing well in pressing, and supporting [Luka] Modric and [Dani] Ceballos.”

After their last 16 Copa del Rey win, Tchouameni's Madrid are back in La Liga action on Sunday afternoon at home to Las Palmas.