Belgium’s Romelu Lukaku
Doha: They organise the party, attend the rehearsal, keep the groomsmen on schedule, coordinate a gift for the groom, act as the witness, hold the wedding ring and make a toast. Belgium has been the perfect best man at the FIFA World Cup.
Will the Red Devils finally shed the best man tag, be the bridegroom and take the hand of the elegant bride at a lavish ceremony in Doha?
Belgium have qualified for eight of the last ten World Cup tournaments. Their best came in their last attempt – third place in 2018 when they beat England. Their only other semi-final appearance was in Mexico in 1986 when they lost to Diego Maradona’s Argentina and finished fourth.
Coming to Qatar, Belgium are the world’s second-ranked side -- behind Brazil. They were first at the turn of the year - a position they held for four years.
Belgium coach Roberto Martinez said dropping in rankings will motivate the team.
“As a country with a population of 11 million, being at the top for four years was an incredible accomplishment. Only Brazil and Spain have occupied that spot for longer. But when you drop to second place, you’re extremely focused on regaining your place, ahead of teams like Brazil, France, Argentina or England. That motivates us even more to improve, and the World Cup will provide us with the chance to do so,” Martinez said during a recent FIFA interview.
The Red Devils were unbeaten in their eight World Cup qualifiers, winning six of them. They easily topped a group that also had Wales, Czech Republic, Estonia and Belarus. They scored 25 goals and conceded six.
Martinez didn’t spring any surprises when he picked his 26-man squad for Qatar.
Kevin De Bruyne, Thibaut Courtois, Axel Witsel, Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld - key parts of the team that finished third in Russia four years ago - are in. As Martinez has largely selected his tried and tested players Romelu Lukaku and captain Eden Hazard too have made the cut although they have major fitness concerns.
Inter Milan striker Lukaku, 29, is “medically unfit” because of a hamstring injury.
“Romelu is medically unfit, I think that’s quite clear,” Martinez said as he revealed his 26-man squad for Qatar.
“Romelu is at the moment receiving treatment and is entering that period that until the 22nd of November - 24 hours before our first game - he has the opportunity to get himself fully fit.”
Lukaku is Belgium’s all-time top scorer with 68 goals in 102 appearances. He won the Bronze Boot in the last World Cup in Russia.
Belgium’s players walk at the Zaventem airport, yesterday, before the team’s departure to Kuwait on their way to Qatar. AFP
Hazard is taking part in the global showpiece tournament for the third time. But he has barely played for Real Madrid this season after falling out of favour under coach Carlo Ancelotti.
“I am looking for Eden to come as captain of the squad and show what an incredible player we have. He is enjoying his football, I can see that, the only concern is the match fitness,” Martinez said.
In a recent interview with Reuters Hazard sounded upbeat.
“I have not suddenly lost my qualities. This will be my third World Cup and I want to show that Belgium can still count on its captain and that I want to give everything (for the team),” he said..
“Together with a few other boys, I have reached an age where you can drop out (of the team). But not before going all out in Qatar first.”
Hazard was the Silver Ball winner at the 2018 tournament in Russia.
One player who is sure to shine for Belgium in Qatar is Kevin De Bruyne. The 31-year-old midfield maestro is a Manchester City icon and four-time English Premier League champion. He is known for his consistency too.
“He’s the most talented playmaker in international football right now,” declared Martinez.
“The way he reads the game and interprets time and space and his execution in front of goal are simply amazing.”
Thibaut Courtois is Belgium’s premier shot-stopper. He captured the 2021/22 UEFA Champions League crown with Real Madrid and was named the Best FIFA Goalkeeper in 2021/22. He is at the peak of his powers.
The winner of the Golden Glove at Russia 2018, he is now his country’s most capped keeper of all time with 108 appearances.The Red Devils will also look up to veteran centre-back Jan Vertonghen, 35, with a national-record 139 caps to his name; indefatigable midfielder Axel Witsel, 33, and the 21-year-old Everton midfielder Amadou Onana who Martinez said provides an x-factor, to help give Belgium’s ‘golden generation’ the perfect farewell.
Belgium start their Group F campaign against Canada on November 23. They will also face Morocco and 2018 runners-up Croatia.
It seems the stars have perfectly aligned for the Roberto Martinez’s side to finally shed the best-man title and be the elegant bridegroom.
Belgium squad
Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid/ESP), Simon Mignolet (Club Brugge), Koen Casteels (Wolfsburg/GER)
Defenders: Toby Alderweireld (Royal Antwerp), Jan Vertonghen (Anderlecht), Zeno Debast (Anderlecht), Leander Dendoncker (Aston Villa/ENG), Wout Faes (Leicester City/ENG), Arthur Theate (Rennes/FRA)
Midfielders: Thomas Meunier (Borussia Dortmund/GER), Timothy Castagne (Leicester City/ENG), Thorgan Hazard (Borussia Dortmund/GER), Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City), Axel Witsel (Atletico Madrid/ESP), Youri Tielemans (Leicester City/ENG), Amadou Onana (Everton/ENG), Hans Vanaken (Club Brugge), Yannick Carrasco (Atletico Madrid/ESP)
Forwards: Eden Hazard (Real Madrid/ESP), Leandro Trossard (Brighton/ENG), Romelu Lukaku (Inter Milan/ITA), Michy Batshuayi (Fenerbahce/TUR), Charles De Ketelaere (AC Milan/ITA), Lois Openda (Lens/FRA), Jeremy Doku (Rennes/FRA), Dries Mertens (Galatasaray/TUR)
