BELGIUM were one of the standout sides of the 2018 World Cup and have some of the finest players on the planet.
Roberto Martinez’s side crashed out to eventual winners France in a tight semi-final decided by Samuel Umtiti’s 51st minute header but the Red Devils proved they are one of the world’s best teams.
Their free-flowing football couldn’t quite see them conquer the globe, but unlike at any point during the dismal Marc Wilmots era, Belgium looked as if they could cause quite a stir on the world scene.
It is no surprise then, that the likes of Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku are considered to be among the country’s best ever players.
Belgian paper HLN have compiled an all-time XI for their national team, as voted for by their readers – and we take a look at who made the cut.
THIBAUT COURTOIS
A familiar name to fans of the Premier League, Courtois was largely outstanding in a Chelsea shirt between 2014 and 2018 – winning two Premier League titles along the way.
The 6ft 6in stopper subsequently moved to Real Madrid for £38million after the World Cup, and at the age of 27 has already won 79 caps for his country.
Belgium wowed the world with their exploits in Russia two years agoCredit: AFP or licensors
ERIC GERETS
Younger fans may wonder why Thomas Meunier or Toby Alderweireld haven’t made the cut – but Eric Gerets was outstanding in the Seventies and Eighties, winning 86 caps.
The imposing right-back was part of the Belgium side that reached the final of Euro 1980 – also winning the European Cup with PSV Eindhoven in 1988.
VINCENT KOMPANY
A legendary figure in English football after his trophy-laden years as Manchester City’s inspirational captain, Kompany is similarly revered in his home country.
One of the calmest, classiest defenders in the game over the last decade, he skippered Belgium at the last two World Cups, featuring in five of their seven matches in 2018.
PHILIPPE ALBERT
The Newcastle United legend, fondly remembered for his roving performances at the back for the Magpies and THAT audacious lob over Peter Schmeichel in the mid-Nineties, makes it into this team despite winning only 41 caps.
Most popular in his homeland for his performances in the 1994 World Cup, in which he scored against neighbours Holland and Germany.
Albert is a legend for club and countryCredit: Getty Images – Getty
JAN VERTONGHEN
The Tottenham icon has been a Red Devils stalwart since making his debut 13 years ago – becoming the first Belgian to earn 100 caps back in 2018.
Has shown signs of slowing down with his club this season, but with 311 appearances for Spurs and 116 for his country, Vertonghen is set to be remembered as a legendary figure for both – even if much of his international career was played at left-back.
Vertonghen is currently Belgium’s most capped player of all timeCredit: Getty – Contributor
WILFRIED VAN MOER
Another member of Belgium’s runners-up at Euro 1980, Van Moer was a diminutive, energetic midfielder that was arguably the best player at that tournament.
His quality on the ball at just 5ft 6in was striking, helping him to win 57 caps and three Belgian titles with Standard Liege during an impressive career.
AXEL WITSEL
The Borussia Dortmund star makes it into the midfield ahead of the likes of Mousa Dembele, Radja Nainggolan and Marouane Fellaini, illustrating his popularity with Belgian fans for his performances.
Still an excellent passer at 31, Witsel remains a key part of Martinez’s side – and has a decent chance of catching Vertonghen’s caps record, currently trailing the Spurs man by 11 on 105.
Witsel is a classy operator in the Belgium engine roomCredit: EPA
PAUL VAN HIMST
The oldest man on this list at 76, it is a testament to his talents that so many fans remembered his skills so fondly that they had to vote him in.
In 2003 he was named Belgium’s best player of the last 50 years, having scored 30 goals in 81 games for the Red Devils between 1960 and 1974. He even featured in the classic 1980 film Escape to Victory as Michel Fileu.
KEVIN DE BRUYNE
Prior to the suspension of the season, Kevin De Bruyne was having a particularly outstanding one – providing 16 assists in the Premier League for Manchester City.
Arguably the best passer of a ball the league has ever seen, De Bruyne is a talismanic figure for club and country, winning two titles with City and 74 caps at 28 for Belgium.
De Bruyne is arguably the best passer in world footballCredit: Getty – Contributor
EDEN HAZARD
Helped deliver two league titles to West London while at Chelsea, and was the outstanding player at the 2018 World Cup.
The talented winger has endured an injury-hit season since swapping Stamford Bridge for the Bernabeu last summer, but will be a key man once again for his country when the Euros eventually take place next year.
And if he is regarded by Belgians as better than Enzo Scifo, then that is high praise indeed.
Many believe that Hazard was the best player at the 2018 World CupCredit: Reuters
ROMELU LUKAKU
The 26-year-old has scored goals prolifically wherever he has been, and has the ability to break every single national team record with Belgium, having made his international debut at just 16 in 2010.
Lukaku already has 84 caps, scoring an extraordinary 52 goals in that period. The bustling striker is enjoying a goal-laden season at Inter Milan following his Manchester United exit last summer.
The fact he is in ahead of Eighties legend Jan Ceulemans speaks volumes.
With 84 caps at just 26, Lukaku could break every national team recordCredit: Reuters
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
