De Bruyne Loses His Temper, Yells at Reporter After Belgium’s Elimination from Euro 2024

Belgium’s captain, Kevin De Bruyne, couldn’t contain his anger at a reporter’s question following the team’s exit from Euro 2024.

Belgium’s journey in Euro 2024 ended in disappointment after a 0-1 loss to France in the Round of 16. The match, held on Monday evening, was lackluster, with only two shots on target in the entire 90 minutes. The only goal of the game came from an unfortunate own goal by Belgian defender Jan Vertonghen, just 5 minutes before the end.

For Belgium, this tournament ended in significant disappointment. Despite losing some experienced players in recent years, the “Red Devils” were still considered potential contenders for the title. However, coach Domenico Tedesco’s team struggled through the group stage, managing only a goalless draw against Ukraine in their final match.

The disappointment was evident immediately after the match. Kevin De Bruyne, the star player from Manchester City and Belgium’s captain, asked his teammates not to applaud the fans as they started to boo and show dissatisfaction. De Bruyne was even booed when receiving the Man of the Match award, a rare occurrence in football.

De Bruyne’s anger didn’t stop there. In the post-match press conference, a reporter’s question about Belgium’s “golden generation” failing to reach the tournament final sparked his fury. The exchange went as follows:

Reporter:*”Is it hard not to reach the final with the golden generation?”
De Bruyne: “What golden generation?”
Reporter: “Your golden generation!”
De Bruyne: “Yours? Are you saying France, England, Spain, and Germany aren’t golden generations? Okay, thank you.”

De Bruyne then stood up and left the press conference, shaking his head and muttering “stupid.” His actions were caught on camera, creating a shocking moment in international football.

The “golden generation” mentioned included talented players like Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku, Thibaut Courtois, and De Bruyne himself. Over the past decade, they were expected to bring glory to their country but repeatedly fell short in major tournaments.

In reality, Euro 2024 might be De Bruyne’s last major tournament with the national team. At 33, the talented midfielder is nearing the end of his career and may not have the chance to participate in the 2026 World Cup. This adds to the bitterness of Belgium’s “golden generation” ending without any major titles.

De Bruyne’s reaction to the reporter sparked controversy. Many believe that as a captain and experienced player, he should have remained calm and handled the situation more professionally. Losing his temper and using inappropriate language can negatively impact his image and that of the Belgian team.

The end of Euro 2024 marks a disappointing phase for Belgian football. The question now is whether the “Red Devils” can rebuild and create a strong team for the future. This is a challenge that the Belgian Football Association and fans will have to address moving forward.