Notorious resignation in the Belgian team due to lack of minutes
Koni DeWinter, defense of Milan, At the age of 24, he has decided to resign from the Belgian national team call, dissatisfied with his lack of minutes, in a decision that jeopardizes his participation in the Euro 2028.
De Winter, who has eight matches with the senior team, did not play a single minute during the 2026 World Cup, when the French Rudi Garcia led the Red Devils, nor in the last four games of the Nations League, already under the orders of the current coach, the Dutchman Mark van Bommel.
The footballer began to consider his resignation during the World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada and has decided to take the step, despite Van Bommel’s attempts to convince him to reconsider his position, according to the Belgian press.
“Koni De Winter has decided not to come. We spoke on the phone,” Van Bommel explained when announcing this Friday the squad list for the Nations League matches against Türkiye and Italy.
“It is a long process of reflection that must be respected. This has, of course, long-term consequences,” added the coach, who recalled that Belgium is already preparing to qualify for the 2028 Euro Cup.
““He is only 24 years old, it is too early to decide to stop being called up,” added Van Bommel, who stressed that the footballer had not made his decision driven by emotions.
Doku returns after his injury
Regarding the call, the return of Jeremy Doku, end of the Manchester Cityafter missing Van Bommel’s first list due to injury, and the news of Joshua Kongolo, central Genkgiven the resignation of De Winter and Hugo Cuypers, front of the Monterey Mexican.
Regarding the previous list, the defender is also left out Zeno Debastinjured, and the attackers Malick Fofana, Matias Fernández-Pardo and Loïs Openda. still absent Thibaut Courtois, Real Madrid goalkeeper, after taking a break from the national team after the World Cup.
Complete list
Goalkeepers: Senne Lammens (Manchester United/ENG), Mike Penders (Chelsea/ENG), Maarten Vandevoordt (RB Leipzig/GER) and Jari De Busser (AZ Alkmaar/NED).
Defenses: Timothy Castagne (Fulham/ENG), Maxim De Cuyper (Brighton/ENG), Josué Kongolo (Genk/BEL), Brandon Mechele (Bruges/BEL), Nathan Ngoy (Lille/FRA), Kyriani Sabbe (Bruges/BEL), Joaquin Seys (Bruges/BEL) and Arthur Theate (Bologna/ITA).
Midfielders: Kevin De Bruyne (Naples/ITA), Mandela Keita (Parma/ITA), Roméo Lavia (Chelsea/ENG), Nicolas Raskin (Rangers/SCO), Youri Tielemans (Manchester United/ENG) and Hans Vanaken (Bruges/BEL).
Fronts: Hugo Cuypers (Monterrey/MEX), Charles De Ketelaere (Atalanta/ITA), Jérémy Doku (Manchester City/ENG), Mika Godts (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA), Romelu Lukaku (Fenerbahçe/TUR), Dodi Lukébakio (Benfica/POR), Diego Moreira (AC Milan/ITA) and Leandro Trossard (Besiktas/TUR).
