Alderweireld announces his retirement from the Belgian national team

BRUSSELS (AP) — Defender Toby Alderweireld, part of Belgium’s so-called “Golden Generation” who finished third in the 2018 World Cup, confirmed his retirement from the national team on Monday.

Alderweireld, 34, currently plays for Antwerp in the Belgian league after spells with Ajax, Atlético de Madrid and Tottenham. He made his debut with the national team in 2009.

He also played in the 2014 and 2022 World Cups, but couldn’t prevent the ‘Red Devils’ from being knocked out in the group stage of the Qatar tournament last year.

“As a child, I dreamed of playing with the national team. I am very grateful that this dream has come true,” Alderweireld said in a statement released by the Belgian football federation. “I can highlight, 14 years later, 127 international matches, three World Cups, two European Championships and countless beautiful memories”.

Alderweireld said he will spend more time with his family and focus on his club career with Antwerp.

“It’s a very difficult decision, but it’s the right one right now,” he said.

After the Qatar 2022 fiasco, Belgium have embarked on a revival with new Italian-German coach Domenico Tedesco. He replaced Spaniard Roberto Martínez, who led the national team for six years.

Under Martínez’s leadership, Belgium topped the FIFA team rankings for four years but could never come out on top in any of the big events.

The Belgians will kick off their campaign in next year’s European Cup qualifier against Sweden on March 24.