- Jude Bellingham reportedly shared a fiery exchange with Gareth Southgate
- The England and Real Madrid star was left frustrated as Spain won Euro 2024
- LISTEN to It’s All Kicking Off! EUROS DAILY: Why did Gareth Southgate’s side look so exhausted?
Jude Bellingham ‘lost it’ with England boss Gareth Southgate at one crucial moment in Sunday’s Euro 2024 final defeat, according to reports.
The Three Lions had their silverware dream brought to a crushing end as Spain ran out 2-1 victors in Berlin to claim a stunning victory inside 90 minutes.
Bellingham endured a difficult tournament on a personal level and looked to be struggling with fatigue in the final as Spain dominated the midfield battle in the second half.
The 21-year-old went into the tournament off the back of a stunning first season at Real Madrid that ended with three trophies including the Champions League and was one of the key players in England’s team.
Bellingham and Southgate appear to share a close and respectful player-coach relationship, but played out a heated confrontation in the closing moments of the Euro 2024 final, as reported by ESPN’s Mark Ogden.
Kane kept his starting role upfront by Southgate despite recent underwhelming performances but was hauled off with 30 minutes remaining as Ollie Watkins made his introduction.
Bellingham vented his frustration towards the England boss for not making the change earlier as Kane proved ineffective up against Spain’s robust defence that was broken only once as Cole Palmer equalised in the second half.
Outlining Bellingham’s angry exchange with Southgate, Ogden explained: ‘Jude Bellingham was getting frustrated, I don’t know if it came across on camera.
‘Just before Kane was taken off, Bellingham lost it with Gareth Southgate on the side of the pitch as if to say “change something, do something” and Kane was taken off.
‘As soon as Kane went off and Watkins came on and then Cole Palmer, England played so much better,’ he added.
The England and Madrid star was later gutted at the final whistle as Spain celebrated their triumph and the Three Lions rued another missed opportunity to lift a first major men’s title since 1966.
Bellingham displayed his leadership qualities by rallying around his emotional colleagues who cried on the pitch while waiting to receive their runners-up medals.
The Birmingham-born talent returned to London with deflated England stars on Monday and will now take some deserved time off before reporting for pre-season training.
Meanwhile, the next time he heads off on international duty might be under a new manager as Southgate waits to make a decision on his future in charge.