The captain of the Belgian national team, Kevin De Bruyne, left the press conference after answering a question about why the “golden generation” of the national team did not win any trophies, and called the journalist “stupid” after the defeat in the match against France in the 1/8 finals of the European Championship in Germany. “Don’t you think France, England, Spain and Germany have a ‘golden generation’ as well?” De Bruyne was quoted as saying by the online publication Marca.
The 31-year-old midfielder was visibly frustrated after Belgium’s 1-0 defeat against France in the round of 16of the 2024 European Championship. Belgium, which boasts a talented roster including De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, Thibaut Courtois and Eden Hazard, was expected to make a deep run in the tournament, but ultimately fell short of winning their first major international trophy. In the post-match press conference, a journalist asked De Bruyne why the “golden generation” of Belgian players had not won any major titles despite their individual talent. This question seemed to strike a nerve with the Manchester City star, who abruptly ended the interview, calling the reporter “stupid” on his way out.
De Bruyne’s reaction highlighted the immense pressure and expectations placed on the Belgian team, who have long been touted as one of the most talented squads in international football. Despite producing world-class players like Hazard, Lukaku and De Bruyne himself, Belgium has struggled to translate their individual brilliance into team success at major tournaments. The 2024 Euros loss to France was particularly heartbreaking for the Belgians, who felt they had the quality to go all the way. De Bruyne’s frustration was understandable, but his outburst also sparked criticism from pundits and fans who felt he should have handled the question with more composure.
Nonetheless, the Belgian captain remains one of the world’s best midfielders and a key figure for his national team. As they look ahead to the 2026 World Cup, De Bruyne and his teammates will be determined to finally end their trophy drought and cement their legacy as one of the greatest international teams of their generation. The disappointment of the 2024 Euros will linger, but the Belgian squad remains hungry for success. With De Bruyne leading the way, they will have another opportunity to prove their worth on the biggest stage in world football. The journey may not have been smooth, but the Belgian “golden generation” is far from finished.
To recap, the 2024 European Championship round of 16 match between France and Belgium ended in a 1-0 victory for the French, thanks to an own goal scored by Belgian defender Jan Vertonghen. This result saw France advance to the quarterfinals of the tournament, where they will face the winner of the Portugal-Slovenia matchup. The highly anticipated clash between the two talented squads was played out in front of a packed stadium in Munich, Germany. Both teams entered the match with high hopes of progressing deeper into the competition, but it was the French who ultimately prevailed in a closely contested affair.
The game started with both sides looking to take control of the midfield, with the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and N’Golo Kanté orchestrating play for their respective teams. The deadlock was finally broken in the 72nd minute, when a cross from the French right flank was inadvertently turned into his own net by the unfortunate Vertonghen. Despite the setback, Belgium pushed forward in search of an equalizer, with Romelu Lukaku and Eden Hazard leading the charge. However, the French defense, marshaled by the experienced Raphael Varane and Jules Koundé, stood firm and managed to see out the victory.
The result was a bitter pill to swallow for the Belgians, who had been tipped by many as potential tournament favorites. The “golden generation” of Belgian talent, which also includes the likes of Thibaut Courtois and Youri Tielemans, had been hoping to finally end their trophy drought at a major international competition. Nonetheless, the defeat against France was not entirely unexpected, as Didier Deschamps’ side has consistently been one of the strongest national teams in world football in recent years. The French have now reached the quarterfinals of the European Championship for the fifth consecutive edition, showcasing their ability to perform on the big stage.
As the focus shifts to the next round, both France and their potential quarterfinal opponents will be eagerly anticipating the clash. For the Belgians, the disappointment of the 2024 Euros will undoubtedly linger, but they will need to quickly turn their attention to the 2026 World Cup, where they will be determined to finally make their mark on the international stage. The match between France and Belgium was a true testament to the depth of talent in European football, with both teams boasting world-class players across the pitch. The narrow defeat will serve as a learning experience for the Belgian squad, who will undoubtedly be hungry to return to a major tournament and prove their worth on the grandest of stages.
