England's Jude Bellingham, aged 21, expressed pride not only in scoring a crucial last-minute bicycle kick to rescue his team from Euro 2024 elimination against Slovakia but also in silencing what he considers unjustified critics of the squad.
England struggled to gain momentum against an aggressive Slovakia team, who took the lead with an Ivan Schranz counterattack goal in the 25th minute. However, Bellingham's goal forced the match into extra time, where Harry Kane's header secured a 2-1 victory.
"In international and knockout football, the feeling is even worse because you're 30 seconds away from going home and have to endure all the criticism, feeling like you've let down an entire nation," Bellingham said during a press conference.
"But in just 30 seconds, one kick of the ball can change everything... It's a feeling I never want to experience, and I don't enjoy it. But when you turn it around, it feels incredible.
"Playing for England brings joy but also carries immense pressure. People often speak nonsense, so it's satisfying to prove them wrong when you perform," added the player of the match in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday. "It's challenging for footballers to express themselves openly in interviews and press conferences because we are always under scrutiny.
"When I play football, scoring goals and celebrating, that's how I express myself. It's perhaps a message to a few people," he continued. Bellingham admitted it wasn't his best goal ever but described it as one of his most emotional moments on the pitch. He believed England showed "overall a strong performance" and praised their resilience when facing adversity.
"In knockout football, producing a moment like that makes everyone realize the spirit we have in this team, which can make a big difference," Bellingham remarked.
"Playing for England should be one of the proudest achievements for a footballer. But it's often challenging due to intense pressure; fans expect a lot from us regardless of past tournament performances years ago.
"People talk a lot, and I do take it personally sometimes. We work incredibly hard, and despite setbacks, moments like this allow us to answer our critics," he concluded.
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