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Ever since his debut in 2010, Kevin de Bruyne has been a mainstay of the Belgian national team. Father time is catching up with the 31-year-old Belgian who is considering his international future following the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Alongside Eden Hazard, Axel Witsel, Dries Mertens, Thibaut Courtois, Romelu Lukaku and Toby Alderweireld, he has been a key figure of the Belgian Golden Generation. Their road to the 2018 World Cup semi-finals etched their name in the annals of footballing history, after earning a quarter-final finish in Brazil four years prior.
While others around him have struggled to give their best at the top, de Bruyne has consistently been the most productive outlet for club and country. He has scored 25 goals and 46 assists in 93 international appearances.
Family support in the last world cup for Belgium
De Bruyne will be key for Belgium in their bid for world cup glory but is unsure about his future with the national team. Knowing that this is his last chance, the midfielder is pulling all stops and has the support of his family.
It will be the first time the midfielder’s kids will see him perform on the biggest footballing stage. If his form is any guild, he could not have picked a better moment.
He was the match-winner in Manchester City’s 1-0 victory at Leicester this past Saturday. Moreover, he recently took the record for most assists in the Premier League.
‘My family are going over for the group stages. I am obviously 31 and I don’t know what will happen in four years. This is the first time my kids can come to the World Cup.
‘That is why they are coming. It will be special, an event I don’t want them to miss. They are six, four and two.
‘The eldest two of them follow the football a bit but the daughter, not really, but she can go and enjoy the sun and play in the pool,” the 31-year-old remarked.
The third time is the charm
Success has been difficult to come by for the Belgian national team. Roberto Martinez has brought stability to the Red Devils and they are one of the favourites in Qatar.
De Brunye believes the third time will be the charm. However, we called against putting too much emphasis on it and what will happen will happen in the due course of time.
‘I am excited. It will be the third one and it is always special. These events are great as everyone is watching it. It is big but there is no point to stress about it.
‘It is my third time, I understand what is coming and I cannot speak for someone else who will be there for the first time.
‘It is unknown (the timing). There is no point worrying about it or thinking about it. You take it as it comes and try and play as well as possible.
‘We are not talking about it with team-mates. The schedule is too hectic. We had two away games quickly after each other.’
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