Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham talks about 'scapegoat treatment' after England's Euro 2024 loss

The midfielder drew criticism during the whole tournament for poor performances.

Jude Bellingham of Real Madrid claims that he has recovered his smile despite “feeling a bit like the scapegoat” for England’s summertime failure to prevail at Euro 2024.

Before saving Gareth Southgate’s team from knockout in the round of 16, Bellingham netted England’s first goal of the competition in a 1-0 triumph over Serbia and then equalized against Slovakia with an overhead kick in the 95th minute.

In the end, England lost their second European Championship final in three years, falling to Spain 2-1.

In Germany, England were criticized for playing too conservatively, and Bellingham specifically was the focus of what he called a “pile on” of criticism.

“I lost my smile a lot playing for England after the Euros as I felt I was a little mistreated compared to what I contributed,” Bellingham said before Real Madrid’s upcoming Champions League meeting with Liverpool.

“[The] smile is back [now]. I think it was a bit harsh on me. I felt a bit like the scapegoat. Maybe I felt a bit sorry for myself.”

“I felt I contributed some pretty big moments, but it felt like the whole world was crumbling down on me, especially in the three days after the final. It wasn’t a nice feeling.”

Jude Bellingham also responded to rumours that he would not talk to reporters throughout the competition.

“That was reported in a way that made it sound like I think I’m above it, but it’s not that at all,” he said. “I had some personal things going on where journalists had gone to see members of my family while I was at the tournament, my grandparents.

“I don’t think that’s fair, it crosses the line of respect. That’s where I took it a little bit personally and decided I would just focus on the football and let that do the talking, instead of talking in the press to people that seemingly don’t respect me.

“My family comes first – my nan didn’t want to leave her house for the whole summer. Maybe I should have communicated that so people understood my situation, but that was a little bit more personal to me so that’s why I decided to keep my mouth shut.” he said.

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