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On 3rd September, Belgium became the first European team besides host Russia to qualify for FIFA World Cup 2018. With a team of made up of some of the most exciting stars from Europe and their attack-oriented display, Belgium for the first time could be considered one of the favourites.
After Portugal won the Euro 2016, Belgium remains the only major side in Western Europe to never win a major football tournament. They have come close on a few occasions, finishing third in Euro 1972, runners-up in Euro 1980 and semi-finalist in FIFA World Cup 1986. This brief period of success was a result of Belgium's first golden generation of stars, most of whom plied their trade in Belgium itself.
Today we find out Belgium's all time greatest eleven, an amalgamation between their two golden generations and more.
Goalkeeper
Jean Marie Pfaff was one of the best goalkeepers in the world during the late 1970s and 1980s. Part of Belgium's first golden generation, Pfaff was a club legend for K.S.K Beveren and Bayern Munich.
He represented Belgium at various international tournaments, including Euro 1980 and FIFA World Cup 1986 where the Red Devils finished runners-up and semifinalist respectively. Alongside numerous other individual accolades, Pfaff was also the first player to be awarded IFFHS's World's Best Goalkeeper in 1987.
Thibaut Courtois might as well go on to become Belgium's greatest ever shotstopper by the end of his career, but Pfaff is comfortably above him at this point.
Honourable Mention: Michael Preud'homme
Defence
Right Back
'The Lion of Rekem' Eric Gerets is undoubtedly the greatest Belgian defender of all time. With his stamina, mental toughness and attacking approach, Gerets was an inborn leader on the field.
After a successful career at Standard Liege, he captained PSV Eindhoven to their first and only European Cup victory in 1988. He led the national side at three consecutive FIFA World Cups, including a fourth place finish at FIFA World Cup 1986, which makes him the perfect captain for our side.
Honourable Mention: Gilbert Van Binst
Right Centre Back
As mentioned earlier, Belgium has always been renowned for their attack-minded approach, and nothing portrays this mentality more than an attacking centre-back. Called 'The Entertainer' by his teammates, Philippe Albert was a defender known for his forward runs into opposition halves.
Winner of three Belgian League titles and one Belgian Golden Shoe award, Albert first grabbed limelight at the 1994 FIFA World Cup for his performance with the national side. In the very same year, he was signed by Newcastle United. Albert quickly became a fan-favourite at Newcastle, captivating everyone with his attacking display. People still talk about his audacious chip over Peter Schmeichel from 25 yards!
Honourable Mention: Michel Renquin
Left Centre Back
One of the greatest centre-backs in the world in recent times, Vincent Kompany was an automatic choice for this spot, thanks to his physical dominance and excellent defensive skills.
Winning the Belgian Golden Shoe as a teenager, Kompany helped Anderlecht win two Belgian Pro League titles. At the peak of his career, he led Manchester City to their first Premier League title in 2011-12 season. Kompany has been the backbone of Belgium's new golden generation, leading them by example.
Honourable Mention: Walter Meeuws
Left Back
Predominantly a centre-back, Jan Vertonghen has time and again proved his ability to operate in the left part of the pitch. Moreover, legend Johan Cruyff himself admired Vertonghen's left footed play.
Graduating from the famed youth academy of Ajax, he established himself as a key member of the side within one year. Alongside two Eredivisie titles and two KNVB Cups, Vertonghen also won the Dutch Footballer of the Year award in 2012.
He made an immediate impact in his new club, Tottenham Hotspur, making it to Premier League PFA Team of the Year in his debut season. Apart from his defensive prowess, Vertonghen possessed the ability to score at crucial times, including one for Belgium at FIFA World Cup 2014.
Honourable Mention: Armand Awartenbroeks
Midfield
Left Central Midfielder
At the heart of the side, we have 'The Little General', Wilfried Van Moer. A hardworking box-to-box midfielder, Van Moer's fearless attitude made him a valuable asset to his side.
Incredibly successful at club level, he won a hat-trick of Belgian league titles with Standard Liege. His career seemed to go downhill after suffering a horrendous injury while playing for Belgium against Italy in 1972, starting a seven-year spell of absence from the national side.
But he was requested to make a return when Belgium struggled to qualify for Euro 1980. Not only did Belgium qualify for Euro but also they reached the finals. A 35-year old Van Moer, who was Belgium's best player at the tournament, ended fourth in Ballon d'Or 1980.
Honourable Mention: Franky Van Der Elst
Right Central Midfielder
If Van Moer is going to be the heart of this side, Enzo Scifo will be its brain. With his creativity, intelligence and technique, he was Belgium's very own Michael Platini.
Scifo had a remarkable career that included winning titles with Anderlecht, Torino and AS Monaco. Part of Belgium's 1986 World Cup side, he was declared FIFA World Cup Best Young Player after the tournament.
Due to his ability to pull the strings of the game from the middle of the pitch, Scifo will field a deep-lying playmaker in our side.
Honourable Mention: Rene Vandereycken
Attacking Midfielder
If we had to choose one player who was the nucleus of Belgium's golden generation, it has to be Jan Ceulemans. His impressive technique, endless stamina and imposing frame allowed him to play in various forward positions, mostly as an attacking midfielder or a second striker.
For most his career, Ceulemans played for Club Brugge, winning numerous accolades with his club as well as individually. His biggest achievement, however, was carrying Belgium to semi-finals of FIFA World Cup 1986 with his three goals, including a spectacular diving header against Spain in the quarterfinals.
Ceulemans also made it to the FIFA World Cup All Star Team in that year. The fact that no other Belgian outfield player has achieved this feat speaks volumes about his achievements.
Honourable Mention: Kevin De Bruyne
Attack
Right Winger
Years before Edgar Davids experimented with the look, Jef Jurion was famous as the footballer who wore glasses while playing. Due to his slender physique, Jurion preferred playing in wide positions to avoid excessive physicality.
Despite not being the fastest, Jurion's ball control and dribbling skills made him a tough customer to handle. At Anderlecht, he formed a terrific partnership with striker Mermans, winning eight Belgian league titles in his career.
Jurion gained worldwide recognition when he scored against a star-studded Real Madrid side to carry Anderlecht past them in European Cup 1962. He also holds the honour of being the first Belgian player to be nominated for Ballon d'Or.
Honourable Mention: Leon Semmeling
Striker
Paul Van Himst is widely regarded as the greatest Belgian footballer to grace the field. His exceptional technical abilities and prolific goal-scoring made him one of the most iconic players in world football during the 60's.
Van Himst had a legendary career at Anderlecht, a side with which he won eight Belgian league titles and a record four Belgian Golden Shoe awards. He is Belgium national team's all time top goal scorer with 30 goals, representing them in numerous tournaments including Euro 1972, where they finished third.
During UEFA Jubilee Awards in 2003, the Belgian Football Association announced Van Himst as their Golden Player, the most outstanding footballer their country had had in the past 50 years.
Honourable Mention: Raymond Braine
Left Winger
Moving on from the greatest Belgian footballer ever to the one who has the potential to overtake him. Eden Hazard is undoubtedly the most gifted Belgian footballer of all time. His speed, creativity, and dribbling skills have made him a lethal weapon that can cause havoc in the opposition's defence.
After making early progress in Lille, Hazard joined Chelsea where he developed into a household name. As a key member of Belgium's national side, Hazard was influential in helping Belgium qualify for FIFA World Cup 2014 after a gap of 12 years, where they were knocked out in the quarter-finals.
They also reached the quarter-finals in Euro 2016. Since 1920 Olympics, Belgians haven't won any major international silverware. But with Belgium's new golden generation on rising, Eden Hazard and his men have the unique opportunity
Honourable Mention: Franky Vercauteren
Using the classic 4-3-3 formation, here's how the side looks altogether
So, what do you think of this XI? Mention in the comments section!
