'If Jordaan eats this R5 million, we will go deal with him at Safa house! Thanks, McKenzie' 

Man City left to rue their big academy mistakes as squad goes stale

PSL Transfers & Rumours: African giants monitor Pirates star

Best Betting Sites - Our Top 15 List for South Africa l December 2024

Jude's back! How Bellingham rediscovered his goalscoring mojo

Safa bailed out! Sports Minister McKenzie comes to players' rescue with Government millions!

Mngqithi firing 'feels like a funeral' - 'He did not just lose a job, Sundowns is family to him' - Zwane 

Revealed! Why 'outdated' Mngqithi was fired by Sundowns revealed - 'Manqoba ruined everything, it divided the players'

Mofokeng's father on Pirates star's potential La Liga move: 'I give him three months at Barcelona, he will be shining'

 Du Preez benches Mabasa as three Chiefs stars make All Stars team to be coached by Riveiro

Vini Jr has secret business meeting with Pique

WATCH: Another victory for Mosimane's side! Esteghlal extend unbeaten run to five matches with cup win

<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Bellingham 'lost smile' after Euro 2024 final loss</li><li>Was being made 'the scapegoat'</li><li>Bellingham will be in action for Real against Liverpool</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

'I was mistreated' - Jude Bellingham explains why he 'lost smile playing for England' after Euro 2024 as Real Madrid star claims he was made 'the scapegoat' for poor performances

LaLiga

Rayo Vallecano

Real Madrid

<p>Expectations were high around England heading into Euro 2024, and Bellingham specifically, as he went into the tournament on the back of a dream debut season in Spain with Real Madrid. He won the Champions League and La Liga with Los Blancos and was the club's second-highest scorer with 23 goals in the 2023-24 season.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>The English star got off to a flying start in the European Championship as he scored the only goal in the Three Lions' tournament opener against Serbia. He also scored the last-gasp equaliser against Slovakia with an overhead kick which helped his team avoid elimination from the round of 16. Bellingham provided the assist for Cole Palmer in the final, too, but he was regularly criticised for his overall performances in Germany. Bellingham felt he was being made "the scapegoat" for England's struggles and revealed he <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/jude-bellingham-jack-grealish-digs-gareth-southgate-lee-carlsey-credited-bringing-back-smiles-enjoyment/blt458b7366205a2a6e" target="_blank">lost his smile while representing the national team.</a></p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Speaking to reporters, the 21-year-old said: "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. [The] smile is back [now]. I think it was a bit harsh on me. I felt a bit like the scapegoat.</p><p>"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."</p>

WHAT JUDE BELLINGHAM SAID

<p>The England international has returned to his homeland for Real Madrid's upcoming mega Champions League encounter against Liverpool on Wednesday at Anfield. </p>

WHAT NEXT FOR JUDE BELLINGHAM?

'I was mistreated' - Jude Bellingham explains why he 'lost smile playing for England' after Euro 2024 as Real Madrid star claims he was made 'the scapegoat' for poor performances | Goal.com South Africa

Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham has admitted he felt that he was made &apos;the scapegoat&apos; throughout England&apos;s ill-fated Euro 2024 campaign.

&apos;I was mistreated&apos; - Jude Bellingham explains why he &apos;lost smile playing for England&apos; after Euro 2024 as Real Madrid star claims he was made &apos;the scapegoat&apos; for poor performances