Jude Bellingham came down hard on critics as he expressed satisfaction at being able to hit back at “people who talk a lot of rubbish” – as he netted equaliser in injury time with a bicycle kick in England’s 2-1 victory against Slovakia.
The Three Lions were staring at potential elimination at the last 16 stage of Euro 2024 after their opponents took the lead on 25 minutes through Ivan Schranz’s goal but Bellingham’s audacious effort with seconds remaining on the clock.
Captain Harry Kane netted in the opening minute of extra time to give England the lead which also turned out to be the winner to send his team into the next stage.
Bellingham said in a press conference: “In international football, in knockout football, it’s even a worse feeling because you’re 30 seconds from going home and have to listen to all the rubbish, feeling like you’ve let a nation of people down.
“But in 30 seconds, one kick to the ball and everything can change… It’s a feeling that I never want and I don’t like to be in. But when it’s done, it feels great.
“Playing for England is an enjoyable feeling but it’s also a lot of pressure. People talk a lot of rubbish and it’s nice that, when you deliver, you can give them a little bit back.
“It’s very difficult to come to these press conferences and interviews and talk as openly as footballers want to because we’re always judged.
“And, for me, playing football and being on the pitch, scoring goals, celebrating it’s how I release, it’s maybe a message to a few people.”
Bellingham – who was named as the Player of the Match – felt his goal was not his best-ever but admitted it was one of his most emotional moments on the turf while also praising the team’s character and the performance.
“I think in knockout football, when you can produce a moment like that and everyone kind of looks around at each other and realises that’s the spirit we actually have got in that team, it can help a lot,” Bellingham added.
“Playing for England should be one of the most proud things of footballer’s career. But often at times it’s quite difficult, there’s really high intense pressure, the fans expect a lot from us regardless of kind of what happened in recent tournaments years and years ago.
“So people talk a lot and I think you do have to take it personally a little bit. I do. We work so hard and sometimes it doesn’t go well. Sometimes it feels like there’s a bit of a pile-on [from critics] and you can always use it. And for moments like that it’s nice to kind of throw it back to some people.”
