Belgium Alderweireld announces international retirement

Belgium defender Toby Alderweireld has retired from the national side after 13 years and 127 caps for the Red Devils.

Alderweireld, 34, was part of the national side that beat Brazil to reach the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup, but ended on a low note as Belgium exited at the group stage of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

More on this topic:

Italy clinches Belgium win to reach Nations League 1/4-finals

The disappointment in December also led to the retirement of another member of Belgium’s “golden generation” – Eden Hazard.

The defender told the Belgian football association’s website that it had been his dream as a little boy to play for the national team. “I am very grateful this dream has become a reality,” he said. “With pain in my heart I announce that I will retire from the Belgian Red Devils with immediate effect.”