Bellingham finally breaks his silence

It has been 58 years since England last won a major trophy in international football. Under Gareth Southgate, the Three Lions have come close to ending their drought on three occasions but have failed to get over the line. At the 2018 World Cup, they lost in the semi-finals to Croatia and lost to Italy and Spain in the finals of the 2020 and 2024 Euros respectively. After suffering another heartbreaking defeat in Berlin on Sunday, Bellingham acknowledged the team had to rise to the occasion at some point and make their fans proud.

Bellingham’s first words after the fall

Speaking to reporters after the match, the Real Madrid midfielder said: “We have made a lot of sacrifices throughout the last week, it is so difficult these days with the crazy schedules and being together for the end of the season, for a last tournament, it is difficult for the body. Mentally and physically, we are exhausted, but for our country, we wanted to give everything and to lose in this way is really cruel.

“Again, we probably didn’t play our best game, but there were some good moments. We felt like we had come back into the game, but then we got caught out by that late goal. It’s heartbreaking. We wanted nothing more than to make history and make the English people proud, but we didn’t achieve that. We didn’t live up to it. There are reasons for that. I’m sure as a team and going forward, we’ll analyse the situation.

He added : “But yeah, I think it’s still a young group. It’s really disappointing because at some point we have to step up to the plate. But there are experiences and things to take from this tournament for the future. I suppose if you look at everything negatively, nothing will ever change. It’s important that we take the positives and the negatives and find a way to get England over the line one day.”

Asked about Gareth Southgate’s future as England manager, the 21-year-old said:
“For me it’s all down to the manager and the FA’s decision. I have nothing but respect for Gareth, who brought me into the team and made me feel at home. I think in the last year or two our relationship has gone a little bit beyond football and I feel like I can open up to him a lot and I think that says a lot about the kind of man he is.