According to Belgian media, which relies on images revealed by RTL sports, after the defeat (0-2) against the French team, Kevin De Bruyne reportedly informed the technical director of the Belgian national team of his desire to quit. For good this time.
Belgian football holds its breath after these French devils have once again won (2-0) against the national team, this Monday, in Décines, in the Nations League, marking the fifth consecutive time, across all competitions.
The Blues continue to torment Belgium and its captain, Kevin De Bruyne, ever since that infamous World Cup semi-final in 2018, which has long lingered in the throats of our neighbors.
Has this new defeat against the French team been felt as a humiliation too much for the country’s star? Belgian media fears so and is asking the question this Tuesday morning.
“I’m done”
Kevin De Bruyne appeared disheartened after the match, aimless, without solutions, powerless. Furious at the overall performance of the team, the Manchester City player directed his anger and vented his frustration on his teammates, using very harsh words which the Belgian press was not accustomed to hearing from him.
But it was mainly his attitude and the sentiment he conveyed to a departing technical director (note: he will not be extended), Franky Vercauteren, on the sidelines, that caught the media’s attention, as if he wanted to give it all up.
From this exchange far from the cameras, but close enough to be interpreted, our Belgian colleagues thought they heard an “Ik Stop” (“I’m done”) coming from Kevin De Bruyne’s mouth, words that he reportedly repeated to Franky Vercauteren.
Tedesco remains calm
The captain of the Red Devils had at one time considered ending his international career after Belgium’s elimination in the round of 16 of the Euro, disappointed with the team’s performances. However, after a necessary period of reflection, he ultimately retracted, committing to continue until 2026, determined to wipe the slate clean of the past.
“I prefer to focus on the future,” he assured just last week.
Would the defeat against the French team make him reconsider his recent statements? Domenico Tedesco does not think so.
“Am I afraid he will announce his international retirement? No, said the Belgian coach. We don’t discuss that kind of thing. He feels a lot of emotions, it’s human. It’s important to understand that after this match, especially after our start, leaving with zero points is hard to digest. Kevin De Bruyne is a winner; he has that mentality. He is emotional and disappointed, which is why sometimes we can say such things, yes.” So, empty words or a firm intention to give it all up?