Belgium's Golden Generation Stumbles: De Bruyne Reflects on Euro 2024 Exit
Kevin De Bruyne expressed his disappointment after Belgium's elimination from Euro 2024. Despite being part of Belgium's so-called 'golden generation,' the team failed to win any major trophies. Belgium was eliminated by France, 1-0, in the round of 16, with De Bruyne lamenting missed opportunities and future uncertainties.
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Kevin De Bruyne stood, hands on hips, absorbing the weight of another missed opportunity for Belgium's golden generation.
On Monday, Belgium was ousted from Euro 2024 following a 1-0 defeat to France in the round of 16—a familiar narrative for one of the world's top-ranked teams.
De Bruyne, alongside former greats like Eden Hazard, Vincent Kompany, and Thibaut Courtois, never managed to claim an international tournament victory, leaving questions over Belgium's once-vaunted golden status. "What is the golden generation?" De Bruyne questioned, visibly frustrated.
Belgium's shocking group-stage performance, including a loss to 45th-ranked Slovakia and a draw with Ukraine, impacted the team's morale, propelling them into a tough knockout stage against France.
At 33, De Bruyne lamented the dwindling time to capture a major international title. With the exits of star teammates and an aging squad, Belgium's future looks uncertain as they face a rebuild under coach Domenico Tedesco.
France's last-minute deflected goal at Duesseldorf condemned Belgium to an early exit, casting a shadow on their fleeting golden era. "I tried to do everything I could," said De Bruyne, who has yet to decide his international future.
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