Belgium captain Kevin De Bruyne did not hold back after his team’s 2-0 loss to France in the Nations League, openly criticizing his teammates’ effort and questioning tactical decisions. The 33-year-old Manchester City midfielder expressed his disappointment post-match, emphasizing the need for a better all-around performance. “If the standard we want to reach is the best, but we’re no longer good enough to get to that level, then you have to give everything. If you don’t even do that, it’s over,” De Bruyne told Belgian TV station VTM.
De Bruyne, a key figure in Belgium’s so-called ‘golden generation,’ was part of a team that once ranked No. 1 in the FIFA rankings and was considered a top contender in major tournaments. Despite their talent, the Belgian squad never reached a final, with notable finishes including a 1-0 loss to France in the 2018 World Cup semifinals and quarterfinal exits in the 2014 World Cup and recent European Championships.
With Domenico Tedesco now at the helm, Belgium faced more challenges. Tedesco’s defensive approach has been questioned, particularly after the loss to France in the Euro 2024 round of 16, and now again in the Nations League.
De Bruyne’s criticism wasn’t limited to effort as he hinted at tactical shortcomings, suggesting that Belgium’s defensive setup hindered attacking play. “We had too many at the back, which prevented any connection between the forward players,” he stated.
Although De Bruyne acknowledged that Belgium may not be as strong as it was in 2018, he made it clear that some things were still unacceptable. “I can accept that we’re not as good as in 2018,” De Bruyne said. “I was the first to see that, but other things are unacceptable. I’m not going to say what.”
Tedesco said De Bruyne “has the mentality of a winner” and didn’t criticize his captain for being outspoken.
“He is emotional and disappointed,” Tedesco said, “that’s why sometimes you can sometimes say this.”