Kevin De Bruyne Reveals Who Convinced Him to Continue With Belgium

After playing in his fourth World Cup, the veteran midfielder faced a major decision over his future with the Red Devils.

A Request From the Dressing Room Changed Kevin De Bruyne’s Mind

After appearing at his fourth consecutive World Cup, Kevin De Bruyne had to decide whether the time had come to close the book on his international career with Belgium. At 35, and after more than a decade as one of the Red Devils’ defining figures, continuing was far from an automatic decision.

The answer ultimately came from inside the dressing room. Speaking to Belgian public broadcaster RTBF during the national team camp in Tubize, the Napoli midfielder revealed that several of his teammates played an important role in convincing him to stay.

“A lot of players asked me to continue, and that made me want to keep going. I’m here to help the team,” De Bruyne explained, acknowledging that this next chapter with Belgium will come with a different role.

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Kevin De Bruyne Is Ready to Pass the Torch

Staying with Belgium does not mean holding on to the spotlight. De Bruyne believes the time has come for the younger players to begin taking on responsibilities that were carried for years by members of Belgium’s celebrated golden generation.

“The others have to take a little more responsibility. Responsibilities need to change hands little by little. I’m still here to help the group, but now it’s up to them to take charge,” he said.

De Bruyne remains one of the biggest veterans in the squad alongside Romelu Lukaku and Thibaut Courtois, although the Real Madrid goalkeeper has agreed not to take part in the UEFA Nations League.

A Different Role Kevin De Bruyne Already Knows at Napoli

That transition could also affect De Bruyne’s role on the field. The former Manchester City midfielder said he feels good both “physically and mentally,” but made it clear he is prepared to contribute even when he is not in the starting lineup.

“I’ve shown at Napoli that I can also bring interesting things when I come off the bench,” De Bruyne said.

That flexibility could become particularly valuable during this international window. Belgium faces four matches in just 11 days, making rotation and workload management almost inevitable.

For De Bruyne, this stage of his international career may therefore be less about playing every minute and more about using his experience to help guide a transition that is already underway.

Mark van Bommel Opens Another Chapter for Belgium

De Bruyne’s decision to stay also coincides with the arrival of Mark van Bommel as Belgium’s new head coach. The Dutchman becomes the sixth national team manager De Bruyne has worked under since making his senior international debut in 2010.

Before Van Bommel came Georges Leekens, Marc Wilmots, Roberto Martínez, Domenico Tedesco and Rudi Garcia. Now the former Netherlands international will attempt to put his own stamp on a Belgium side undergoing significant change.

“He’s very direct when he speaks. I think I understand where he wants to go,” De Bruyne said, revealing that Van Bommel personally asked him about his plans and how he felt after the World Cup.

The early conversations have been positive. Belgium is beginning a new cycle, and De Bruyne has chosen to remain part of it. He may no longer need to carry every responsibility himself, but his mission is now different: helping the next generation become ready to take them on.

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Key Takeaways

Kevin De Bruyne revealed that several Belgium teammates asked him to continue after the 2026 World Cup.
The midfielder believes it is time to gradually pass more responsibility to the next generation.
De Bruyne will remain one of the veteran leaders in Mark van Bommel’s new-look Belgium squad.