'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Belgium currently occupy the number 1 position in the FIFA Men's Football Rankings. They have maintained their place at the top for more than two years now. The Belgian international team is filled to the brim with talented players and the current side has earned the right to be called the 'Golden Generation'.
But for all the talent and their ability to outperform the best sides in the world, the Belgian Red Devils are yet to win a major trophy. They had a deep run in the 2018 FIFA World Cup where they were eliminated in the semi-finals by eventual champions France.
Belgium looked strong at Euro 2020 this past summer as well. However, they were knocked out in the quarter-finals by Italy, who also went on to win the continental competition. But there's no doubting the fact that this Belgium side is one of the strongest teams in the world.
Without further ado, let's take a look at five of the best Belgian players in the world right now.
#5 Yannick Carrasco (Atletico Madrid)
Yannick Carrasco baffled everyone in 2018 when he decided to move to Chinese Super League club Dalian Professional in 2018. He seemed to be at the peak of his powers and it just felt like a poor decision to make.
Fortunately for Carrasco, he was able to engineer a way back to his former club Atletico Madrid on loan in January 2020. The move was made permanent in September later the same year.
Carrasco immediately proved that his levels hadn't dropped and was a standout performer for the Rojiblancos as they won the La Liga title in the 2020-21 season. He scored seven goals and provided 11 assists from 35 appearances across all competitions for Diego Simeone's men last term.
The tricky winger possesses great ball progression ability and usually plays as a wing-back in Belgium's three-at-the-back system.
#4 Youri Tielemans (Leicester City)
Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans has established himself as one of the best central midfielders in the Premier League over the past couple of seasons. He is gradually becoming an important player for the Belgian national side as well.
After starting out in a holding role early in his career, he was assigned to a more advanced position by then Anderlecht manager Besnik Hasi. Tielemans is known for his versatility, passing and shooting ability.
He scored an absolute screamer from 30-yards out in the FA Cup final against Chelsea last season and that goal turned out to be the winner. Tielemans scored nine goals and provided six assists from central midfield for the Foxes in the 2020-21 season.
#3 Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid)
Thibaut Courtois has been exceptional for Real Madrid since joining the club in 2018. He is one of the best goalkeepers in the world right now and has also been Belgium's number 1 for a very long time now.
Courtois possesses an elite sense of positioning and showcases excellent reflexes and decision making. He also displays a knack for marshalling his backline and demonstrates great command over his area. Standing at 6"7, Courtois is a big goalkeeper and it is difficult to get the better of him in one-on-one situations.
He is also great at anticipating crosses into the area and is often seen charging out to collect deliveries from the flanks. The 29-year-old kept a total of 21 clean sheets in 51 appearances across all competitions for Real Madrid in the 2020-21 season.
#2 Romelu Lukaku (Chelsea)
Romelu Lukaku has been an absolute beast up top for Belgium. He is a prolific goalscorer and has always been a very reliable presence in the frontline for the Belgian Red Devils. He has scored 67 goals in 100 appearances for the national side.
Lukaku has established himself as one of the best strikers in the world in recent seasons. After leaving Manchester United, Lukaku improved many aspects of his game to burgeon into a dependable striker at Inter Milan.
He was the Nerazzurri's best player as they won the Serie A title in the 2020-21 season after a gap of 11 years. Lukaku scored 30 goals and provided 10 assists in 44 appearances across all competitions for Inter Milan last term.
The 28-year-old, who has now joined Chelsea, had a good outing at Euro 2020 as well. He scored four goals in five appearances for Roberto Martinez's side at the continental tournament and was one of Belgium's standout performers.
#1 Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)
Kevin De Bruyne has arguably been Manchester City's most influential player in the Pep Guardiola era. The 30-year-old is widely considered to be one of the best footballers in the world and his phenomenal talents have been crucial to City's exploits in recent times.
De Bruyne is a complete midfielder. He is a hard-working individual who never shies away from defensive responsibilities. But his better qualities are reserved for when his side are attacking. He possesses an astonishing passing range and is renowned for picking out teammates with inch-perfect balls from anywhere on the pitch.
De Bruyne also packs a thunderous strike and can go hell for leather with either foot. He won the PFA Players' Player of the Year Award for the 2020-21 season. De Bruyne scored 10 goals and provided 18 assists in 40 appearances across all competitions for Manchester City last term.
He also turned in a handful of impressive performances for Belgium in their run to the quarter-finals of Euro 2020, scoring a goal and providing two assists in four appearances.
