Ranking Belgium's 5 greatest players of the 21st century

Belgium are a nation with a relatively young footballing history. They consistently failed to qualify for several editions of the UEFA European Championship and the FIFA World Cup until very recently.

Now, with a 'Golden Generation' of players and a capable coach in Roberto Martinez, the Red Devils look dangerous once again. Over the past few years, players such as Vincent Kompany, Jan Vertonghen, Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku have been world-class.

They have achieved great things with both club and country. Belgium ended 2021 as the top-ranked national side - marking the fourth year in a row they did so.

With the likes of Dries Mertens, Thibaut Courtois and Axel Witsel and upcoming players like Youri Tielemans and Jeremy Doku, Belgium look poised to remain one of the top international sides.

On that note, here's a walk down memory lane and look back at Belgium's five greatest players of the 21st century:

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#5 Dries Mertens

Dries Mertens has been a key player for Napoli and Belgium.

Dries Mertens was born in Leuven, Belgium, in 1987. He came through the youth ranks at Gent before making his senior bow for the club in 2005.

He broke onto the European scene during his spell at PSV Eindhoven between 2011 and 2013. He signed for Napoli for a €9.5 million fee in 2013, and has been one of their most key players since then.

The Belgium international has made 665 career appearances at club level, scoring 239 goals and providing 199 assists. A total of 379 of those appearances have come for Napoli, for whom he has bagged 141 goals and 101 assists. Mertens is Napoli's all-time top scorer, and is sixth in their all-time appearances list.

Mertens has won three domestic cups. He has made 103 appearances for Belgium, scoring 21 goals and providing 31 assists. He is fifth in the list of his country's all-time appearances.

The forward has a penchant for scoring wonderful long-range goals, and has a venomous strike. He has also scored many goals with chipped shots from range, and has done so expertly.

You can watch a video of one of Mertens' chipped goals here:

The Belgium international will hope to help in Napoli's quest for a first Serie A title in more than three decades.

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#4 Vincent Kompany

RSC Anderlecht vs KV Mechelen - Jupiler Pro League

Vincent Kompany was born in Uccle, Belgium, in 1986. He began his youth career with Anderlecht, and made his senior debut in 2003. Kompany later represented Hamburger SV in Germany for two seasons before moving to Manchester City in 2008. It was with the Cityzens where he established himself as a world-class defender.

Kompany has made 533 career appearances, scoring 31 goals and providing 21 assists. A strong defender, Kompany used his physique to dominate against forwards and win the ball with ease. Despite his huge stature, the former Belgium captain was pacey.

He won four Premier League titles, two FA Cups, four EFL Cups and two Belgian first division titles. He captained Manchester City to their first-ever Premier League title, and was named the Premier League Player of the Season for 2011-12.

Vincent Kompany made 89 appearances for Belgium, ranking tenth in their all-time appearances list.

Largely known for his dominance in his defensive half, Kompany scored many clutch goals during his career. He scored the only goal against Manchester United in 2012 to give City all three points and a crucial lead in the Premier League title race.

In 2019, Kompany came up clutch for City once again, scoring a screamer against Leicester City. His goal put Manchester City a point above Liverpool in the title race, one win away from winning the 2018-19 Premier League title.

Kompany retired from the game in 2020, and currently works in Belgium as his old club Anderlecht's manager.

#3 Eden Hazard

Finland vs Belgium - UEFA Euro 2020: Group B

Eden Hazard was born in La Louviere, Belgium, in 1991. He came through the youth ranks at Lille, and made his senior debut for them in 2007. The Belgium captain plays mainly as a winger, but has also started games in the false 9 role. He has notably represented Chelsea, and now plays for Real Madrid.

Hazard has made 604 career appearances, scoring 165 goals and providing 158 assists. He is most well-known for his time at Chelsea (2012-19) where he wreaked havoc with his performances. He has won four domestic league titles, two domestic cups and two UEFA Europa League titles.

Eden Hazard was named the Premier League's Player of the Season following Chelsea's title win in 2014-15. The Belgian had a season to remember, bagging three individual awards.

Hazard is currently Belgium's captain. He has made 116 appearances for his nation, scoring 33 goals. He ranks second in their all-time goalscoring list and fourth in the list of all-time appearances. He was part of the Belgian squad that finished third at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

The Belgium international currently plays for Real Madrid, and will hope to play a key role in their quest for the La Liga title this season.

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#2 Kevin De Bruyne

Kevin De Bruyne has been a key player for Manchester City and Belgium over the years.

Kevin De Bruyne was born in Drongen, Belgium, in 1991. He began his youth career at Genk, and made his senior debut for the club in 2008. Following spells at Chelsea, Werder Bremen and VfL Wolfsburg, KDB established himself as a top-class player at Manchester City, where he is still playing.

De Bruyne has made 511 career appearances, scoring 120 goals and providing 197 assists. He is well-renowned for his passing ability, vision, technique on the ball, strikes from distance and two-footedness. KDB is among the most decorated Belgian players of all time. He has won four domestic league titles and ten domestic cups, among others.

The Belgium international was named the Premier League Player of the Season and UEFA's Midfielder of the Year for his scintillating displays in the 2019-20 season.

In 2019-20, he provided his 20th assist of the Premier League season to match the league's assists record (20) set by Arsenal's Thierry Henry in 2002-03.

Kevin De Bruyne has made 88 appearances for Belgium, and is one short of equalling Vincent Kompany in tenth place in Belgium's all-time appearances list. He has bagged 23 goals and 45 assists, and is joint-tenth in Belgium's all-time scoring list.

The midfielder has enjoyed a stellar campaign with a rampant Manchester City team this season. They sit atop the Premier League at the halfway mark of the season as they eye their fourth league title in five years.

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#1 Romelu Lukaku

Belgium vs France UEFA Nations League 2021 Semi-final

Romelu Lukaku was born in Antwerp, Belgium, in 1993. He came through the youth ranks at Anderlecht, and made his senior debut for the club in 2009. A physical striker, Lukaku commands the box, and bosses around defenders. He has represented the likes of Manchester United and Inter Milan, and is currently in his second spell at Chelsea.

The Belgium international has made 539 career appearances, scoring 265 goals and providing 98 assists. He uses his 6' 3" frame to great effect, bullying opposition defenders to score goals. Lukaku has won one Belgian Pro League title and one Serie A title during his career.

In his debut season for Inter Milan, Lukaku tied Ronaldo Nazario's record of 34 goals.

The powerful striker has also made 101 appearances for Belgium, and ranks sixth in their all-time appearances list. He has scored 68 goals and provided 15 assists for them. Lukaku is Belgium's all-time top scorer, having achieved the feat when he was only 24.

The striker recently made his return after an over 100-day absence in the Premier League. He came on as a substitute for Chelsea against Aston Villa, scoring in their 3-1 away win.

Lukaku will hope to continue being a menace in the penalty box as he guns for the Golden Boot award this season.