When England lost to Spain in the summer of 2024, Jude Bellingham, a midfielder for Real Madrid, claims he felt “like the scapegoat.”
The Three Lions performed excellently to go to the German final, but they were defeated 2-1 by Spain to win the European Championship, who were the superior team that day.
After the tournament, Gareth Southgate resigned, and Lee Carsley assumed interim leadership for the Nations League campaign until Thomas Tuchel took charge the following year.
Some people took Bellingham’s statement that he “got my smile back in an England shirt” under Carsley as a jab at former England manager Southgate.
However, the Real Madrid star has now taken back his remarks after feeling like he was “a little bit mistreated” and used as a “scapegoat” for the Three Lions’ performance at Euro 2024.
“I felt like I was a little bit mistreated in comparison to what I contributed, so I lost my smile a lot after the Euros when it came to playing for England,” Bellingham says felt that it was a little harsh on him at times. I thought I was being used as a scapegoat. Perhaps my self-pity was a touch too strong. You can probably see that in the previous two games. I believe that camp [under interim manager Lee Carsley] with so many new faces really brought out the joy in my game again.
“I’m still smiling in the Madrid shirt. While I am disappointed and irritated when we lose, I never feel unhappy. The world’s luckiest boy is me. I get to play for the world’s biggest club every week and represent my nation. I believe that the post had more to do with my treatment when I was in the Euros. It’s back, the smile. Feeling that the media had gone too far by visiting his grandparents at Euro 2024, Bellingham deliberately kept his media appearances during the tournament to a minimum.
“Pressure is not an issue for me,” the England midfielder continued. I am aware that wherever I go with the national team, there will be enormous expectations for me since I play for Real Madrid. I felt like I had a few significant contributions to make, and after the Euros, especially the three days following the final, I felt like everything was falling apart around me. That feeling wasn’t pleasant.
During the competition, a few things occurred. I believe that one of the main things that people said about me was that I didn’t want to give press conferences or talk to the media. That was not at all how it was reported, which gave the impression that I was above it. While I was at the event, I had some personal matters to attend to, including journalists who visited my grandparents and other family members. It’s not fair, in my opinion. That goes beyond respect, in my opinion.At that point, I decided to take it a little personally and let the football speak for itself rather than speaking to reporters who didn’t seem to respect me. I have a thing for that. Family is the top priority. Bless my grandmother, she refused to leave her home for the entire summer.
Perhaps I could have mentioned that earlier to help others understand my predicament, but I chose to keep quiet because it was more personal.
