Jude Bellingham explains why he ‘lost his smile’ playing for England

JUDE BELLINGHAM claims he was made a “scapegoat” for England's failure to win the 2024 European Championship.

The Real Madrid superstar, who faces Liverpool in the Champions League tonight, opened up about the pain of the Three Lions' latest defeat to Spain in July.

Bellingham scored England's group stage winner against Serbia, before a stunning bicycle kick against Slovakia saved them from last-16 humiliation.

But the performances of the midfielder and most of his teammates in Germany have been largely disappointing.

Bellingham, 21, said: “I felt like I had contributed to big moments and at the end it felt like the whole world was crumbling down on me after the European Championships. That was not a nice feeling.

“I felt like some of it was a little harsh on me. I may have felt like a scapegoat.

“When I judged the matches I felt my form was quite good.

“I lost my smile after the European Championship when it came to playing for England because I felt like I was being mistreated compared to what I contributed. I felt a bit sorry for myself.”

Bellingham, who has won 36 of his 40 England caps under Gareth Southgate, shone in victories over Greece and Ireland this month and he made a point of thanking interim boss Lee Carsley when he was on top form.

Carsley, who will be replaced by Thomas Tuchel in January, brought in a host of new players during his six-game spell.

Bellingham said at Anfield on Tuesday night: “I play my best football when I am off.

“The smile is back now. That camp with many new faces brought back the joy in my game and you saw that in the two games.

“Overall, I wouldn't have lost my smile in a Real Madrid shirt. I get irritated and angry when we lose, but it's never a matter of being unhappy.

“I am the happiest boy in the world playing for the biggest club in the world and representing my country. It had more to do with how I was treated at the European Championship, but the smile is back.”

Bellingham also claimed that Vinicius Jr. should have won the Ballon d'Or before Rodri of Manchester City.

Bellingham, who finished third, said: “That doesn't say anything about Rodri, he's a brilliant player… it was just about our season. When we won the Champions League it was our Ballon d'Or.”