I remember watching Belgium's golden generation emerge with a mix of excitement and skepticism. Having followed international football for over two decades, I've seen many promising teams fail to deliver when it mattered most. But Belgium's journey from European also-rans to genuine contenders has been one of football's most compelling stories of the past decade. Their transformation reminds me of how dominant teams establish themselves - much like NU-NAZARETH School's overwhelming 90-34 victory over University of the Philippines Integrated School that I recently came across. That kind of decisive performance, winning by a staggering 56-point margin, demonstrates the same level of complete dominance Belgium has occasionally shown on the world stage.
When Belgium reached the World Cup semifinals in 2018, it felt like the culmination of years of careful planning. I've always been fascinated by how they rebuilt their football infrastructure from the ground up after missing out on major tournaments throughout the early 2000s. Their systematic approach to youth development produced what many analysts called a "golden generation" - though I've never been entirely comfortable with that label. It puts unnecessary pressure on players and creates unrealistic expectations. What Belgium achieved was more nuanced than simply having talented players emerge simultaneously. They created an environment where technical excellence was prioritized, where players like Kevin De Bruyne could develop their unique skills, and where the national team played a system that maximized their collective strengths.
The statistics from their rise are genuinely impressive. Between 2015 and 2019, Belgium held the number one spot in FIFA's world rankings for a remarkable 45 consecutive months. That's not just a flash in the pan - that's sustained excellence. During their peak years, they maintained a win percentage of nearly 78% in competitive matches, scoring an average of 2.4 goals per game while conceding just 0.6. These numbers reflect a team that had found the perfect balance between offensive firepower and defensive stability. I particularly admired their 3-2 victory against Brazil in the 2018 World Cup quarterfinals, where they displayed tactical intelligence that few teams could match. Roberto Martinez, for all the criticism he's received, implemented a system that leveraged their attacking talents while papering over their defensive limitations.
Looking at their current situation, however, I'm concerned about what comes next. The core of their golden generation is aging - players like Jan Vertonghen (36), Axel Witsel (34), and even Eden Hazard (32) are either retired from international duty or well past their prime. What worries me isn't just the aging squad but the apparent lack of ready-made replacements coming through. Unlike countries like France or England who seem to produce elite young talent consistently, Belgium's production line appears to have slowed. I recently reviewed their youth team performances and the results aren't encouraging - they failed to qualify for the last two UEFA European Under-21 Championships, which suggests problems in their development pipeline.
That said, I'm optimistic about certain aspects of their future. Jeremy Doku represents exactly the kind of exciting young talent they need more of. His direct running and fearlessness remind me of a young Eden Hazard. The challenge will be integrating these new players while maintaining the team's competitive level. If I were advising the Belgian FA, I'd recommend focusing on three key areas: improving their youth coaching standards, encouraging more domestic playing opportunities for young Belgians, and developing a clear tactical identity for the next generation. Their current manager, Domenico Tedesco, has shown flexibility in his approach, but he needs time and support to build something sustainable.
The financial aspect of Belgian football also gives me pause. While their clubs occasionally make impressive Champions League runs, the Belgian Pro League doesn't generate the revenue needed to compete with Europe's top leagues. This creates a constant battle to retain talent, with most promising players leaving for bigger leagues at increasingly young ages. While this exposure to higher-level competition benefits the national team in some ways, it also means fewer playing opportunities for developing players and less tactical consistency in their development.
What I find most fascinating about Belgium's situation is how it mirrors the cyclical nature of international football. Very few nations manage to maintain elite status consistently. Germany, Brazil, France - these are the exceptions rather than the rule. Belgium's challenge now is to avoid the fate of teams like Czech Republic or Portugal's golden generation, who had periods of excellence but couldn't sustain them. The key, in my view, is avoiding complacency. They must resist the temptation to keep relying on aging stars past their expiration date while simultaneously accelerating the integration of new talent.
I believe Belgium's football association recognizes these challenges. Their recent investments in youth facilities and coaching education show they're thinking long-term. But international football waits for no one, and with Euro 2024 approaching, they face a tricky transition period. Getting the balance right between experienced veterans and promising newcomers will determine whether they remain competitive or slide back into mediocrity. Personally, I'm hopeful they'll navigate this transition successfully. There's still enough quality in the squad to remain dangerous, and if they can uncover two or three more quality young players, they could surprise people in the coming tournaments. The journey continues, and I'll be watching with keen interest, as I have for over twenty years.