Bellingham of Real Madrid is no longer a “scapegoat” but is now grinning.

Before Wednesday’s Champions League matchup with Liverpool, Jude Bellingham, a midfielder for Real Madrid, claimed he has his smile back after feeling like a “scapegoat” following Euro 2024.

The 21-year-old received criticism for his tournament efforts as England finished second to Spain this summer.

Despite having two goals in his past two games for Los Blancos, Bellingham has also struggled to score goals this season with Madrid in contrast to his heroics from the previous campaign.

“I feel like my form has been okay, pretty good to be honest — I just haven’t been scoring goals,” Bellingham said during a press conference after reviewing the games.

“I believe that playing for England caused me to lose a lot of my smile after the Euros. Considering what I provided, I thought I was treated a little unfairly.

Some of it seemed a little harsh to me. I believe that I felt something like the scapegoat. Perhaps I felt a little sorry for myself.

Earlier in November, the midfield player posted on Instagram that he was happy again following recent Nations League games with the Three Lions and that his discontent was not due to his challenging start to the season with Real Madrid.

After two losses in their first games, Los Blancos have played erratically and begin the fifth round of games in 18th place in the Champions League group.

Bellingham went on, “In general, I hadn’t lost my smile in the Madrid shirt,”

“When we lose, I become furious, agitated, and irritated, of course, but it’s never a question of not being pleased.

“I am the world’s luckiest boy. The smile has returned because I get to play for the world’s biggest club every single week and represent my nation.