Belgium’s national football team head coach, Domenico Tedesco, has made the difficult decision to omit Manchester City midfielder Kevin de Bruyne from the squad for precautionary reasons. De Bruyne, who has been grappling with various injury issues since the onset of the 2023-2024 season, finds himself sidelined once again due to concerns about his fitness.
Despite his limited appearances for Manchester City this season, De Bruyne has managed to demonstrate his quality, contributing “13 assists and scoring two goals” in just “14 outings” across all competitions. However, his fitness woes persist, prompting caution from both his club and national team.
Tedesco, wary of exacerbating De Bruyne’s injuries, believes it would be too risky to include him in the upcoming friendly matches against the Republic of Ireland and England. The “32-year-old midfielder” has been contending with “a groin problem alongside his recurring hamstring issues”, making his participation in these fixtures ill-advised.
In a statement addressing De Bruyne’s omission, Tedesco emphasized the importance of prioritizing the player’s well-being and respecting his club commitments. He stressed the need to avoid unnecessary risks, especially considering De Bruyne’s pivotal role in Belgium’s ambitions for the European Championship.
Acknowledging the player’s ongoing struggles, Tedesco expressed confidence in De Bruyne’s eventual return to full fitness, highlighting the importance of allowing him adequate time to recuperate. With the European Championship looming on the horizon, the focus now shifts to ensuring De Bruyne’s readiness for the tournament, rather than risking further setbacks in friendly encounters.
Meanwhile, Tedesco has finalized Belgium’s squad for the upcoming fixtures, comprising a mix of seasoned veterans and promising talents across all positions. Notable inclusions such as Romelu Lukaku and Youri Tielemans highlight Belgium’s depth and ambition as they prepare to face formidable opponents in Ireland and England.
Here’s the full squad list for Belgium’s upcoming friendly games:
Goalkeepers: Arnaud Bodart, Koen Casteels, Thomas Kaminski, Matz Sels
Defenders: Jan Vertonghen, Timothy Castagne, Koni De Winter, Zeno Debast, Wout Faes, Thomas Meunier, Arthur Theate
Midfielders: Olivier Deman, Dodi Lukebakio, Orel Mangala, Amadou Onana, Youri Tielemans, Arthur Vermeeren, Aster Vranckx, Jeremy Doku
Forwards: Johan Bakayoko, Michy Batshuayi, Charles De Ketelaere, Romelu Lukaku, Loïs Openda, Leandro Trossard
