Belgium is a country with a relatively short history of football, and they have failed to qualify for the European Championships and world cups for several consecutive times.
Now with the "golden generation" of players and capable coaches, the European Red Devils look unstoppable. Over the past few years, Kompany, Vertonghen, Hazard de Braune and Lukaku have achieved great things at both the club and the national team.
As of 2021, Belgium is the number one national team in the world for the fourth consecutive year. With so many good players, Belgium looks poised to continue to be one of the top international teams.
At this point, let's look back at the five greatest Belgian players of the 21st century.
5. Mertens
Mertens broke into Europe during his time at Eindhoven from 2011 to 2013, signing with Napoli in 2013 for a transfer fee of €9.5 million and has been one of their most important players ever since.
The Belgium international made 665 career appearances, scoring 239 goals and contributing 199 assists. In total, he made 379 appearances for Napoli, contributing 141 goals and 101 assists for Napoli.
Mertens is Napoli's all-time top scorer and sixth in their all-time appearances, with Mertens having won three domestic cups.
He made 103 appearances for Belgium, scoring 21 goals and contributing 31 assists, and he is the fifth-most appearance in history.
Mertens is hoping to help in Napoli's first Serie A title race in more than 30 years.
4. Kompany
Kompany moved to Manchester City in 2008, establishing himself as a world-class defender. Kompany made 533 career appearances, scoring 31 goals and assisting 21.
As a strong defender, Kompany used his physical strengths to control the opponent, winning 4 Premier League, 2 FA Cups, 4 League Cups and so on. He led Manchester City to their first Premier League title and was named premier league player of the 2011-12 season.
Kompany made 89 appearances for the Belgian national team, ranking tenth in his appearance history. Kompany retired in 2020 and is currently coaching at the Belgian Club Anderlecht.
3. Hazard
Hazard made his debut for Lyon in 2007, the Belgian captain who played mainly as a winger, having played for Chelsea and currently at Real Madrid.
Hazard made 604 career appearances, scoring 165 goals and providing 158 assists. He is best known during his time at Chelsea (2012-19).
He has won 4 domestic leagues, 2 domestic cups and the Europa League. After Chelsea won the 2014-15 Premier League title, Eden Hazard was named the Premier League Player of the Season.
Hazard is currently the captain of the Belgian team, making 116 appearances for the national team and scoring 33 goals. He is second on the team's all-time goalscoring list and fourth in the number of appearances.
The Belgium international, who currently plays for Real Madrid, is looking to play a key role in the fight for la Liga title this season.
2. De Bruyne
De Bruyne made his first team debut for the club in 2008. Following Chelsea, Bremen and Wolfsburg, he has established himself as a top player at Manchester City.
De Bruyne made 511 career appearances, scoring 120 goals and assisting 197 times. Known for his passing ability, vision, possession technique and long-range shots, he is one of the most honoured players in Belgian history.
He has won 4 domestic league titles and 10 domestic cups, among other awards. The Belgium international has been named Premier League Player of the Season and UEFA Midfielder of the Year for his outstanding performances in the 2019-20 season.
In the 2019-20 season, he contributed his 20th assist of the season, equaling the league record set by Arsenal player Henry in the 2002-03 season.
De Bruyne has already made 88 appearances for Belgium, one game short of Kompany (belgian all-time appearances). He has scored 23 goals and 45 assists, tied for tenth place in Belgium's all-time goals list.
They have been fantastic at Manchester City this season, topping the Premier League in the middle of the season and they are hoping to win their fourth league title in five years.
1. Lukaku
Lukaku made his debut for the club in 2009, having represented Manchester United and Inter Milan, and is currently in his second season at Chelsea.
The Belgium international made 539 career appearances, scoring 265 goals and providing 98 assists. Lukaku has won 1 Belgian pro league title and 1 Serie A title in his career.
In his first season for Inter, Lukaku leveled Ronaldo's record of 34 goals.
He made 101 appearances for Belgium, sixth in all-time appearances, where he has scored 68 goals and provided 15 assists. Lukaku is the top scorer in Belgian history, and he accomplished the feat at the age of 24.