With De Bruyne and Courtois injured and other key players like Hazard having retired from international duty, things are not looking positive for the Red Devils. In his final international appearance, Eden Hazard was only given three minutes on the pitch in Belgium’s early exit from the 2022 World Cup group stage. Romelu Lukaku was brought in at half-time with hopes of rescuing the campaign, but the team could not break the deadlock. This marked the final appearance of defensive stalwarts Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen, along with their long-time partner Thibaut Courtois as the goalkeeper and Axel Witsel as the midfield anchor.
Internal doubts and disagreements were present within the Belgian camp in Qatar, with Kevin De Bruyne expressing concerns that the team might be past its prime. Eden Hazard’s recent retirement at the age of 32 symbolizes the end of an era, highlighting the loss of the country’s renowned “golden generation” of football talent. Notably, Alderweireld and Witsel have also retired from international duty, and the torch should pass to younger players like Youri Tielemans. However, Tielemans has had a challenging start at his new club, Aston Villa. Additionally, Charles de Ketelaere, seen as a flag-bearer for the next generation, has faced difficulties after moving to AC Milan, leading to a loan move to Atalanta.
The current Belgian squad for the European Championship qualifiers is missing other key players, including Kevin De Bruyne due to injury and Thibaut Courtois, who is sidelined until well into the new year. Courtois’s absence is not just due to injury but also amid reports of unhappiness about not being appointed the national captain. Internal division within the team has been noticeable, with disputes in the dressing room during the World Cup. The sense that a unique opportunity has been missed is hanging over the senior players who remain with the national team. Belgium, despite its rich talent pool, has never won a major tournament and may have to wait a long time for such an era of talent to come around again.