Belgium’s home kit for the 2022 World Cup was certainly a clever idea by adidas. Opting for the traditional red body and black sleeves, the most striking aspect was the flame detail adorning the cuffs. Unfortunately, rather than signifying the heat Belgium would bring to the tournament, it proved the perfect uniform to symbolise the burning out of their “golden generation”.
It is undeniable that Belgium’s time in Qatar was nothing short of disastrous. A narrow win over Canada in the opening game was followed by a deserved 2-0 defeat to the plucky Moroccans, with exit confirmed in a spirited but ultimately drab goalless draw against Croatia.
Rumours swirled of arguments within the team. Romelu Lukaku was clearly not fit. Kevin De Bruyne declared pre-tournament they had no chance of glory as the squad was ageing. Then, less than a week after being dumped out, Eden Hazard announced his international retirement, with many feeling the waning star no longer warranted a starting place anyway.
While coach Roberto Martinez dismissed De Bruyne’s comments, the Spaniard swiftly exited his role with the Red Devils, resigning after six-and-a-half years in the job.
Martinez was largely ridiculed for asserting that whilst not securing a trophy, he had “built a real legacy” by finishing third at the 2018 finals, topping the FIFA Men’s World Ranking, opening a new training centre and equipping the vast majority of the squad with UEFA A-licences they can put to use post-retirement.
Football is ultimately about victory, but when viewed through a different lens Martinez’s words begin to have more substance.
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Denne historien er fra April 2023-utgaven av World Soccer.
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Going for Gold in Paris- There are plenty of candidates vying for the Olympic gold medal in the women's football tournament this summer
There are plenty of candidates vying for the Olympic gold medal in the women's football tournament this summer
Face to face - Tom Sainfiet- The final goal is to reach the World Cup and write history - The Belgian coach speaks to World Soccer
The well-travelled Belgian coach speaks to World Soccer after taking charge of the Philippines-his 11th international coaching role
Inter cruise to title number 20
Simone Inzaghi's Internazionale shrug off all challengers before sealing the Serie A title in style against their biggest rivals
HAT-TRICK HERO
Ademola Lookman wrote his name into European football's history books with a hat-trick in the Europa League final
GOING UP
The story of Sweden striker Viktor Gyokeres' career has been one of upward trajectory - and there's plenty more to come from the Sporting superstar
Palau soldier on alone
The isolated Pacific nation faces a long and lonely battle to improve football on the island
Brazilian clubs eye Copa number six
As the Copa Libertadores group stage concludes, a sixth consecutive Brazilian winner is looking likely
AI Hilal sweep to another Saudi crown
The first edition of the Saudi Pro League's glamorous new era ends with a familiar title winner
Disasters brewing
There is still a long way to go in World Cup qualifying, but dysfunction reigns at Cameroon, Congo and Nigeria after four matchdays in the group stage
Second round of World Cup qualifying underway
Favourites perform largely as expected, yet Cayman Islands dominate the headlines
