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Belgium have failed to taste success in international tournaments since their 1920 Olympic triumph. While silverware has eluded the Red Devils, they have consistently produced some of the finest footballers across Europe.
The Red Devils do not necessarily have a rich history in football. However their current "Golden Generation" consists of some of the best players in the game at the moment as the side finished third in the 2018 World Cup and are currently the top ranked team in the world.
On that note, we look at the five greatest players Belgium have produced.
#5 Thibaut Courtois
After struggling to pin a regular role at Chelsea, Thibaut Courtois secured a loan move to La Liga side Atletico Madrid, where he proved to be one of the most promising goalkeepers in Europe.
His impressive outings between the sticks at the Atletico earned him a starting role at Chelsea the following campaign as he was viewed as the perfect successor for long-serving goalkeeper Petr Cech.
During his four-year stint as Chelsea's first-choice shot-stopper, Courtois stamped his name as a world-class goalkeeper. He helped the club to two Premier League titles as well as the FA Cup.
Real Madrid came calling for his services, and the player completed a £35m move to the Santiago Bernabeu in 2019.
A particular highlight of Courtois' excellent goalkeeping was his 2018 World Cup display. The 29-year-old helped Belgium to a third-placed finish, while also claiming the World Cup Golden Glove award. A few of his personal achievements include La Liga's Best Goalkeeper (2013), Belgian Sportsman of the year(2014), Premier League Golden Glove (2017).
#4 Eden Hazard
Eden Hazard became one of the hottest prospects out of Europe after spearheading Lille's Ligue 1 title success in 2011.
The player's sensational display earned him a move to Chelsea, where he cemented his name as one of the best attackers in the world.
His ability to easily beat his marker before slaloming into the penalty box made him a threat to any opposition.
While at Chelsea, Hazard claimed two Premier League titles, alongside the Europa League title in his first and last season at the club.
Although he earned his dream transfer to Real Madrid in 2019, he has failed to hit his stride as he battles several recurring injuries. Nonetheless, Hazard has proven he is one of the few excellent players to make it out of Belgium.
Internationally, the Real Madrid man starred in Belgium's 2018 World Cup run, guiding them to the Bronze medal. Hazard boasts a plethora of individual accolades, including French League Player of the Year (2011, 2012), PFA Player of the Year (2015), Belgian Golden Shoe (2017), to name a few.
#3 Vincent Kompany
Vincent Kompany sprung into the limelight at a very young age as he took the Belgian league by storm in his teenage years.
The Belgian caught the eye across Europe during his stint with Anderlecht, where he claimed the Belgian Golden Shoe as a teenager and guided the Belgian outfit to two league titles.
The player quickly gained prominence in the domestic league. It earned him a move abroad to England. Over the years Kpmpany proved that he is one of the best central defenders to have made it out of Belgium
After impressive stints with Anderlecht and Hamburger SV, the player moved to the English Premier League when he signed for Manchester City in 2008. He quickly `surged up the pecking order at the Etihad outfit and was named the club's captain.
Kompany became one of the players to bring the glory days back to Manchester City as he guided them to their first Premier League title in over four decades.
The Manchester City legend was widely regarded as one of the best defenders across Europe before he ended his 11-year stint at the Etihad outfit in 2019.
#2 Romelu Lukaku
Over the years, Romelu Lukaku has built a reputation as a serial goalscorer and finisher for himself. After catching the eye with his impressive performances for Anderlecht in the Belgian Pro League, Lukaku completed a move to Premier League giants Chelsea in August 2011.
However, with playing time limited, Lukaku was forced into loan exits at West Bromwich Albion and Everton. The player had a keen eye for goal and his clinicality in the final third during his loan spell with Everton earned him a permanent move to the Toffees.
A move to Manchester United three seasons later failed to work out for the 28-year-old, who was shipped out to Italy after two underwhelming seasons at Old Trafford.
With Inter Milan, Romelu Lukaku breathed fresh life and found greater heights in his game. He quickly formed a formidable partnership with Lautaro Martinez, and together they have terrorized countless oppositions.
Lukaku was instrumental in Inter's title triumph last season, scoring 24 goals and providing 11 assists in the league alone.
Having made his international debut at just age 16, Romelu Lukaku is now the all-time leading goalscorer for the Red Devils. He has scored 64 goals in 98 appearances.
He also had a fantastic Euro for the Red Devils and led the line with great authority.
#1 Kevin de Bruyne
Another ex-Chelsea player to make the cut. De Bruyne began his playing career with Belgian outfit Genk before moving to Chelsea. However, after struggling at the London outfit, the player moved to the German Bundesliga, where he dazzled with Wolfsburg. His sensational outings earned him the German Player of the Year before he signed for Manchester City in 2015.
Kevin De Bruyne instantly added a level of brilliance never seen before in Manchester City's attack, turning them into one of the Premier League's juggernauts.
His sheer creativity, ability to spot and execute a pass and bring his teammates into play has made him one of the best players across Europe.
De Bruyne has helped Manchester City to a plethora of titles, including three Premier League titles.
Internationally, De Bruyne made his debut in 2010 and has penned down more than 80 senior appearances for the Belgian national team, scoring over 20 goals.
He is viewed as the best player out of Belgium by many, and he has often backed that claim up with his repeatedly outstanding displays, the latest of which came at Euro 2020. Up until their loss to Italy, De Bruyne was the chief playmaker pulling the strings for the Red Devils.
