Kevin De Bruyne was recently seen with a noticeably somber expression alongside his wife, Michèle Lacroix, during a visit to a Belgian charity center.
This public outing followed a dramatic announcement where the Manchester City star hinted at stepping away from the national team.
After the French Defeat
The 33-year-old midfielder’s frustration boiled over after Belgium’s disappointing 2-0 loss to France, marked by goals from Randal Kolo Muani and Ousmane Dembele in Lyon.
De Bruyne’s post-match emotions were palpable as he approached technical director Frank Vercauteren, expressing his intention to possibly leave the national team.
He also engaged in a brief chat with French and Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe.
Post-Match Criticism
In a candid interview following the game, De Bruyne did not hold back his criticisms.
He labeled some teammates as “not doing their job” and “not good enough” for international competition.
His harsh words came after a game where he felt the team lacked cohesion and drive.
Charity Visit Amidst Tension
Despite the recent turmoil, De Bruyne and Lacroix visited Ronald McDonald House, a center dedicated to supporting families of sick children.
The visit coincided with the center’s fifth anniversary.
De Bruyne, who had landed in Brussels early in the morning, chose to visit the charity rather than returning immediately to his club.
In a statement during the visit, De Bruyne emphasized that football discussions were off the table.
“We are happy to be here. Given our busy schedule it was not easy but we made the commitment to this group and that is why we wanted to be here,” he said.
He added, “We are also happy that we can do this; the organization deserves it.”
Future Uncertain
The visit comes on the heels of a public outburst that has cast doubt on his future with the national team.
De Bruyne’s blunt critique of the team’s performance and his call for improvement have sparked tension within the squad.
Coach Domenico Tedesco even advised De Bruyne to “calm down” in response to his comments.
Having been a pivotal player for Belgium over the past 14 years, with 107 caps to his name, De Bruyne’s commitment to the team has been steadfast.
However, with Belgium’s next crucial Nations League match against Italy on the horizon, there is uncertainty over whether De Bruyne will lead the team as one of the country’s all-time greats.