Kevin De Bruyne Commits to Belgium, Praises Mark van Bommel and Eyes Euro 2028

De Bruyne Confirms Belgium Commitment Amid New Era

Kevin De Bruyne has settled any doubts about his international career by confirming he will continue representing Belgium under the leadership of new head coach Mark van Bommel. The 35-year-old midfielder from Napoli is targeting Euro 2028 as a potential endpoint for his national team journey.

Despite several senior players like Axel Witsel retiring and Thibaut Courtois stepping away from the Nations League, De Bruyne feels motivated to keep playing. He credits encouragement from teammates and his own fitness levels at Napoli for driving this decision.

Positive Impressions of Van Bommel

After meeting Mark van Bommel in Naples, De Bruyne shared a favorable view of the new coach’s approach. He admitted he didn’t know Van Bommel well before but quickly appreciated the Dutchman’s straightforward style.

"A typical Dutchman," De Bruyne joked. "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."

Motivation Fueled by Teammates and Fitness

The playmaker revealed that many younger teammates urged him to stay with the Red Devils after the World Cup, which gave him fresh energy. De Bruyne also expressed surprise at how sharp he feels physically, having completed 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 said. "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."

Leading Belgium’s Transition

With 124 caps, De Bruyne understands Belgium is entering a key transition phase. He wants to guide younger players through upcoming Nations League games against France, Italy, and Turkey, making sure the team avoids a sudden leadership gap as veterans retire.

"I wouldn’t want the younger players to suddenly experience a shock when we retire," he noted. "They need to feel now what it is like to carry a team."

• Upcoming UEFA Nations League Match: Italy vs Belgium
• Date: 25 Sept 2026
• Time: 21:45