Kevin De Bruyne Commits to Belgium and Shares Thoughts on Van Bommel
Kevin De Bruyne, the 35-year-old Napoli midfielder, has confirmed he will keep playing for the Belgium national team under new head coach Mark van Bommel. He aims to stay involved at least until Euro 2028, which is being held in the United Kingdom and Ireland. De Bruyne's decision was influenced by encouragement from his teammates and his own strong physical condition.
Ending Speculation About Retirement
After the World Cup, there was talk about De Bruyne possibly stepping away from international football, but he never seriously considered it. Despite the retirement of senior players like Axel Witsel and Thibaut Courtois opting out of the Nations League, De Bruyne feels motivated to continue representing Belgium.
He sees Euro 2028 as a natural endpoint but remains open to other possibilities.
Positive Impressions of New Coach Mark van Bommel
De Bruyne met Van Bommel during a visit to Naples and shared that, although he didn’t know the former midfielder well before, he quickly admired Van Bommel’s straightforward approach.
"A typical Dutchman," De Bruyne joked. "Quite direct in his demeanour. That suits me well, just someone who says it like it is. Van Bommel asked me what I wanted to do. I told him that I was here to help him."
Motivated by Teammates and Fitness
Teammates played a big role in his choice to stay, with younger players pleading for him to remain part of the squad. De Bruyne was also surprised by how fit he still feels, having completed several full matches with Napoli recently.
"Many players asked me to stay with the Red Devils after the World Cup. That gives me energy," he said. "As long as I still have that motivation, why shouldn’t I keep going? Pushing your limits every day and trying to play as well as possible."
Leadership Role for the Next Generation
With Belgium entering a phase of transition, De Bruyne wants to help younger players take on leadership roles gradually. Having earned 124 caps, he is ready to guide the emerging talents through challenging fixtures in the Nations League against teams like France, Italy, and Turkey.
"I wouldn’t want the younger players to suddenly experience a shock when we retire," De Bruyne said. "They need to feel now what it is like to carry a team."
- Upcoming UEFA Nations League Match:
- Date: 25 September 2026
- Time: 21:45
- Fixture: Italy (ITA) vs Belgium (BEL)
