JUDE BELLINGHAM claims he was made “a scapegoat” for England failing to win Euro 2024.
The Real Madrid superstar, who faces Liverpool in the Champions League on tonight, opened up on the agony of the Three Lions’ final defeat to Spain in July.
Bellingham scored England’s group stage winner over Serbia before a stunning overhead kick against Slovakia saved them from last-16 humiliation.
But the performances of the midfielder and most of his team-mates in Germany were largely disappointing.
Bellingham, 21, said: “I felt like I contributed to big moments and, at the end, it felt like the whole world was crumbling down on me after the Euros. That was not a nice feeling.
“I felt some of it was a bit harsh on me. I felt like maybe a scapegoat.
“When I reviewed the games, I felt my form had been pretty good.
“I lost my smile after the Euros when it came to playing for England because I felt I was a mistreated in comparison to what I contributed. I was a little sorry for myself.”
Bellingham, who won 36 of his 40 England caps under Gareth Southgate, shone in this month’s wins over Greece and Ireland and he made a point of thanking interim boss Lee Carsley as he hit top form.
Carsley, who is replaced by Thomas Tuchel in January, brought in a host of new players during his six-game spell.
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Speaking at Anfield on Tuesday night, Bellingham insisted: “I play my best football when I’m free to roam.
“The smile is back now. That camp with a lot of new faces brought out the joy in my game again and you could see that in the two games.
“In general, I had not lost my smile in a Real Madrid shirt. I am annoyed and upset when we lose but it is never a case of being unhappy.
“I’m the luckiest lad in the world to play for the biggest club in the world and represent my country. It was more to do with how I was treated at the Euros — but the smile is back.”
Bellingham also claimed Vinicius Jr should have won the Ballon d’Or ahead of Manchester City’s Rodri.
Bellingham, who finished third, said: “That’s nothing on Rodri, he’s a brilliant player… it was just about our season. When we won the Champions League, that was our Ballon d’Or.”
