Kevin De Bruyne Confirms Belgium Future and Praises Mark van Bommel

Kevin De Bruyne has cleared up any doubts about his international career, announcing he will continue representing Belgium under the new coach Mark van Bommel. At 35 years old, the Napoli midfielder is aiming for Euro 2028 as a potential end point but hasn’t ruled out playing beyond that.

The decision came after encouragement from his teammates and his own strong fitness levels at Napoli. Despite some senior players like Axel Witsel retiring and Thibaut Courtois skipping the Nations League, De Bruyne remains driven.

Positive First Impressions of Van Bommel

De Bruyne shared his thoughts on meeting Mark van Bommel in Naples. He admitted he didn’t know much about the former Dutch midfielder at first but quickly appreciated Van Bommel’s straightforward approach. The Belgian playmaker feels the coach’s tactical clarity fits well with what he expects on the field.

“A typical Dutchman,” De Bruyne said with a laugh. “Quite direct in his demeanour. That suits me well, just someone who says it like it is. Van Bommel asked me what I wanted to do. I told him that I was here to help him.”

Motivated by Teammates and Fitness

De Bruyne credits the younger members of the squad for urging him to keep playing. He also expressed surprise at how well he has been performing physically, having played multiple full matches for Napoli recently.

“Many players asked me to stay with the Red Devils after the World Cup. That gives me energy,” he explained. “As long as I still have that motivation, why shouldn’t I keep going? Pushing your limits every day and trying to play as well as possible.”

Mentoring the Next Generation

With Belgium entering a transitional phase, De Bruyne understands the importance of leadership for younger players. The veteran, who has earned 124 caps, wants to help guide the team through upcoming Nations League fixtures against France, Italy, and Turkey.

“I wouldn’t want the younger players to suddenly experience a shock when we retire,” De Bruyne said. “They need to feel now what it is like to carry a team.”

• UEFA Nations League A
• Italy (ITA) vs Belgium (BEL)
• Date: 25 Sept 2026
• Time: 21:45