Belgium captain Kevin De Bruyne appeared to criticise his team-mates’ work rate and their manager’s tactics after the team’s latest defeat to France, which underlined their current form in world football.
After the match, De Bruyne, 33, revealed he was frank with his teammates at half-time and said Belgium’s performance “had to be better, otherwise they were finished.”
De Bruyne was a member of Belgium’s so-called “golden generation” that rose to No. 1 in the FIFA rankings and was among the favourites at major tournaments, even if the team never reached a final. The Belgians lost 1-0 to France in the World Cup semi-finals in 2018 and reached the World Cup quarter-finals in 2014 and the European Championships in 2016 and 2021.
“I can accept that we are not as good as we were in 2018,” said De Bruyne. “I was the first to see that, but other things are unacceptable.”
Belgium have dropped to number 6 in the rankings, having remained at the top mainly due to their impressive record in qualifying for major tournaments. In fact, the team was unbeaten between the 2022 World Cup and Euro 2024.
However, a poor Nations League campaign could cost them a top-seeded spot when the 2026 World Cup qualifying draw is made.
De Bruyne is the last remaining link to the previous generation, but he may not be around for much longer, especially with injuries affecting his seasons in recent years.
