De Bruyne threatens to quit Belgium national team after defeat against France

De Bruyne celebrates Belgium's 2-0 win over Romania in the Euro 2024 group stage. Photo by Reuters

"I quit, I give up," De Bruyne told Royal Belgian Football Federation sporting director Franky Vercauteren after the defeat in Lyon, France before storming off. Vercauteren stopped De Bruyne, covered his mouth and tried to encourage him.

In the post-match interview, the 33-year-old captain could not hide his disappointment and frequently covered his face with his hands. "If we are not capable, we must at least give our all," De Bruyne said. "But some players aren't doing that. It's true that Belgium are no longer at the level we were when we finished third at the 2018 World Cup, but certain things are unacceptable. I won't specify what the problem is. I spoke out when I was 18 at Genk, but now I'm 33 and I won't do that anymore."

While it wasn't clear which players De Bruyne was referring to, his comments sparked controversy.

Former Belgium striker Marc Degryse said that De Bruyne had crossed a line with his statements.

"It was evident in the second half that De Bruyne was frustrated with his teammates. He was right to point out that the Belgium players lacked determination, but as a captain, he should protect his teammates, not criticize them publicly," Degryse said on VTM.

Toby Alderweireld, a former teammate of De Bruyne in the national team from 2010 to 2022, also expressed dissatisfaction with how he acted.

"If I was the captain, I would always defend my teammates," the 35-year-old center-back told VTM. "De Bruyne can react like that in the dressing room, away from the public eye. But this type of comments will make many Belgium players uncomfortable."

Belgium head coach Domenico Tedesco defended the Manchester City midfielder in the post-match press conference: "De Bruyne was hungry for victory, so it's understandable that emotions ran high after a defeat."

However, Tedesco believed De Bruyne shouldn't have demonstrated his frustration that way. "We're all disappointed, but we need to let the anger settle before speaking."

This loss marked Belgium's second consecutive defeat to France, with the first in the round of 16 at Euro 2024. In the UEFA Nations League match in Lyon, Randal Kolo Muani and Ousmane Dembele scored in each half, securing a 2-0 victory for France. The result left Belgium third in the group, behind Italy and France.

De Bruyne made his international debut for Belgium in 2010, playing 107 matches and scored 30 goals. He is often regarded as one of the best and most completed playmakers in modern football for his technique, skill, vision and professionalism.