Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham expressed feelings of being a scapegoat after England fell short in their quest for the European Championship this year.

Bellingham, who netted a remarkable overhead kick against Slovakia in the round of 16, stated he faced undue criticism for his contributions. He remarked,

“I’ve got to be honest, I think I lost my smile a lot after the Euros when it came to playing for England because I felt like I was a little bit mistreated in comparison to what I contributed. I felt like some of it was a bit harsh on me. I felt I was a bit like the scapegoat. Maybe I was feeling a little bit sorry for myself.”

Translation: “I must admit, I lost a lot of my joy after the Euros when representing England as I felt somewhat mistreated relative to my contributions. Some of the criticism felt excessive. I believe I became a scapegoat and perhaps indulged in self-pity.”

Following a phenomenal season with Madrid, during which he claimed the Spanish league title and the Champions League, Bellingham participated in the Euros, scoring two goals before England secured the runner-up position against Spain.

He mentioned,

“I contributed significant moments, yet it felt like everything collapsed on me after the Euros, especially in the aftermath of the final. That feeling was harsh to endure.”

Despite these challenges, Bellingham recently assisted England in gaining promotion in the UEFA Nations League and shared on Instagram earlier this month that he has regained his joy in playing.

Now back in England, he is preparing for a Champions League clash against Liverpool on Wednesday.