10 Greatest Soccer Players in Belgium

Belgium’s rich soccer history and its iconic Belgian Red Devils national team have produced many legends. From Paul Van Himst in the 1960s to today’s “Golden Generation” stars like Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne, Belgian football legends span eras and positions. In the Golden Generation (circa 2010s), Belgium climbed to a #1 FIFA ranking by blending Hazard’s flair, Lukaku’s power, Kompany’s leadership, and Courtois’s reliability.

Table of Contents

This list of the Greatest Soccer Players in Belgium highlights the ten most influential players ever – household names for fans of Belgian soccer history. Each has excelled at top clubs and World Cups/Euros, cementing their status among the best Belgian soccer players.

Eden Hazard

Eden Hazard in action for Belgium at the 2018 World Cup. The speedy winger was the captain of Belgium’s Golden Generation and won two Premier League titles with Chelsea. He earned 126 caps and scored 33 goals for the Red Devils. Hazard’s honors include the English league (2015, 2017), two FA Cups, and the 2018 World Cup Bronze Ball as tournament’s second-best player. Career highlights and stats:

Belgium (2008–2022): 126 caps, 33 goals – captain for many years.
Club Achievements: 2× Premier League (2015, 2017), 2× English League Cup, 1× FA Cup. Chelsea Player of the Year in 2014 and 2015.
International: Key role in Belgium’s 3rd place at World Cup 2018, 2nd place at Euro 1980 (as youth prodigy). Won Belgium’s Golden Shoe award multiple times.

Eden Hazard was nicknamed “Magnificent” for his dribbling and creativity. He was named FWA Footballer of the Year (2015) and helped Belgium become a World Cup semifinalist. His combination of club trophies and international accolades makes him a top pick among Belgium football legends.

Kevin De Bruyne

Kevin De Bruyne (center) celebrating a Premier League victory with Manchester City. The creative midfielder is the beating heart of both Manchester City and the Belgian team. De Bruyne has earned 109 caps, scoring 30 goals for Belgium. He won six Premier League titles and the 2023 UEFA Champions League with City. Renowned for vision and assists, KDB was Premier League Playmaker of the Year multiple times. Career highlights:

Belgium (2010–2024): 109 caps, 30 goals – current captain of the Red Devils.
Club Achievements: 6× Premier League champion, 5× English League Cup, 2× FA Cup; Champions League winner (2023). PFA Player of the Year (2020).
Individual Awards: 2020 UEFA Player of the Year, 2019 World Cup Silver Boot, multiple Team of the Season selections. Known as “the greatest creative midfielder” in club history.

De Bruyne’s passing and long-range shooting have broken many records. He led the Premier League in assists for three consecutive seasons and is the first player to record 100 assists in the competition. His career epitomizes the rise of Belgian soccer’s midfield maestros.

Vincent Kompany

Vincent Kompany captaining Manchester City. Kompany was the rock at center-back and captain of Belgium for over a decade. The strongest captain of Belgium’s Golden Generation, he earned 89 caps and scored 4 goals for the national team. Kompany won 4 Premier Leagues with Manchester City (2012, 2014, 2018, 2019) and lifted the FA Cup in 2011. Key achievements:

Belgium (2004–2019): 89 caps, 4 goals; captained the 2018 World Cup squad.
Club: 4× English Premier League champion with Manchester City, 1× FA Cup, 5× League Cup. He was club captain and symbol of City’s rise.
International: Captain of Belgium’s team that reached 3rd place at 2018 World Cup. Named Belgian Professional Footballer of the Year (2002, 2004).

A commanding defender, Kompany’s leadership and headers secured vital goals in title races (famously his last-gasp 2012 goal vs QPR). He is widely considered Belgium’s greatest defender ever and one of its most decorated club players.

Romelu Lukaku

Romelu Lukaku competing in the Belgian national team. The powerful striker is Belgium’s all-time leading goalscorer. As of 2025, Lukaku has 122 caps and 88 international goals. He won the Belgian Golden Shoe in 2009 and played for top clubs like Everton, Manchester United, Inter Milan (Serie A title winner), and Chelsea. Milestones and stats:

Belgium (2010–2025): 122 caps, 88 goals – top scorer in Red Devils history. Over 0.7 goals per game.
Major Achievements: Silver Boot (2nd top scorer) at 2018 World Cup, where Belgium finished 3rd. Scored 4 goals in Euro 2024 qualifiers (record for a campaign).
Club Records: Serie A champion with Inter (2021), two-time Premier League third-place, and often Golden Shoe nominee. Transfermarkt lists him as one of Belgium’s most expensive exports.

Lukaku’s physical style and goal-poaching make him a star. He broke Belgium’s long-standing international scoring record (surpassing Paul Van Himst) and won numerous player-of-the-season awards abroad. His clinical finishing has solidified him among Belgium’s best ever.

Dries Mertens

Dries Mertens playing for Belgium. The quick forward became Napoli’s all-time top scorer. Mertens earned 109 caps and 21 goals for Belgium. In 2020 he scored his 122nd goal for Napoli, surpassing Marek Hamšík as the club’s all-time top scorer. Notable facts:

Belgium (2011–2022): 109 caps, 21 goals. Key substitute/winger in two World Cups (2014, 2018).
Club: Napoli legend (2013–2022). Won Coppa Italia (2014) and Supercoppa Italiana (2014) with Napoli. Contributed to Belgium’s 2018 World Cup 3rd place. In 2022 moved to Galatasaray.
Records: Became Napoli’s all-time scorer (122 goals). Serie A Team of the Year (2017). Named Belgian Footballer of the Year (2016).

Mertens’s versatility (wing/forward) and consistent scoring made him indispensable. He helped end Napoli’s 33-year Serie A title drought by inspiring their 2022 Scudetto run. In Belgian soccer history, he stands out for club records and longevity.

Thibaut Courtois

Thibaut Courtois (pronounced “Core-twah”) is Belgium’s greatest goalkeeper. He has 103 caps (and 0 goals) and backstopped Belgium to Euro semifinals and World Cup bronze. Courtois won three La Liga titles and three domestic cups with Atlético Madrid (on loan) and Real Madrid, plus a Champions League (2022). Highlights:

Belgium (2011–2024): 103 caps. Longest-serving keeper, Golden Glove at 2018 World Cup (best goalkeeper).
Club: 3× La Liga champion, 3× Copa del Rey (Atlético & Real Madrid), 3× UEFA Champions League winner (2016 with Atlético, 2022, 2023 with Real). Premier League Golden Glove (2014).
Individual: FIFA Best Goalkeeper (2018), Runner-up for UEFA Best Player (2018).

Courtois’s shot-stopping and height made him a wall between the posts. As key part of Belgium’s Golden Generation, he helped the team reach its greatest heights (World Cup 2018 semi, Euro 2020 quarter). In Belgian soccer history, he’s undoubtedly the top goalkeeper.

Paul Van Himst

Paul Van Himst is a legend from the 1960s and ’70s. A forward at Anderlecht, he earned 81 caps and scored 30 goals, a record for Belgium until beaten by Lukaku decades later. Van Himst starred in Belgium’s surprising run to 3rd place at Euro 1972. Career notes:

Belgium (1960–1974): 81 caps, 30 goals. Captained the Red Devils and was their top scorer for many years.
Club: 8× Belgian First Division champion (Anderlecht), 5× Belgian Cup winner. His skill earned comparisons to Pelé at the time.
Honors: Belgian Golden Shoe winner 4 times. Named “Belgium’s Pele” for his prowess. Voted Belgian Player of the Century in 1995.

Van Himst’s technical excellence and leadership made him the standout player of his era. He laid the foundation for Belgium’s footballing pride and remains a pioneer Belgian football legend.

Jan Ceulemans

Jan Ceulemans was the captain of Belgium’s 1980 Euro (runner-up) and 1986 World Cup (4th place) teams. A powerful midfielder known as “Captain Courageous,” he earned 96 caps and 23 goals. He held Belgium’s appearance record (26 years) and still holds the Belgian Pro League appearance record (517 games). Achievements:

Belgium (1977–1991): 96 caps, 23 goals – was most-capped player until 2017.
Club: 3× Belgian champion and 6× Belgian Cup winner with Club Brugge. Voted Belgian Footballer of the Year (1985).
International: Led Belgium to Euro 80 final (silver medal) and World Cup fourth place (1986), scoring crucial goals (incl. vs Spain in ’86 quarters).

Ceulemans’s stamina and scoring ability helped Belgium achieve its best-ever results in the 1980s. He remains an icon in Belgian soccer history, symbolizing its rise on the world stage.

Enzo Scifo

A gifted playmaker, Enzo Scifo won the Belgian Golden Shoe (Player of the Year) 3 times. He earned 84 caps and scored 18 goals for Belgium, and played in four World Cups (1986 semi-final) and two Euros. Notable points:

Belgium (1984–1998): 84 caps, 18 goals. Youngest Belgian at Euro 1984 (age 18).
Achievements: Helped Belgium to 4th place at 1986 World Cup (2 goals). Played for Anderlecht, Inter Milan, Monaco (1997 French champion). Renowned as “little Maradona” for creativity.
Club: 4× Belgian champion (Anderlecht), Italian Cup winner. Named World Soccer’s Young Player of the Year (1984).

Scifo’s vision and dribbling made him the leader of Belgium’s midfield for over a decade. He bridged the gap from 1970s Belgian legends to the new era, cementing his place among top Belgian footballers.

Jan Vertonghen

Jan Vertonghen holds the record for most appearances for Belgium: 157 caps and 10 goals. A central defender and occasional left-back, he won two Eredivisie titles with Ajax, the KNVB Cup twice, and reached the 2019 Champions League final with Tottenham. Key facts:

Belgium (2007–2024): 157 caps, 10 goals – Belgium’s record appearance-maker. Captain in later years.
Major Tournaments: Bronze medalist at 2018 World Cup, Euro 2020 quarter-finalist. Part of Red Devils squads in 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
Club: Ajax (2× Eredivisie champion), Tottenham (2019 Champions League runner-up), Benfica. Named Belgian Sportsman of the Year (2019).

Versatile and consistent, Vertonghen was a defensive mainstay. His record caps underline his longevity. He may not have as many trophies as others, but his role in Belgium’s sustained success earns him a spot among the best Belgian soccer players.

Conclusion

These ten Belgium football legends each left an indelible mark on Belgian soccer history. From Van Himst’s pioneering goals to the Golden Generation’s global success, they define the Greatest Soccer Players in Belgium. Whether dominating domestic leagues or the World Cup stage, players like Hazard, De Bruyne, Kompany, and Lukaku boosted the Red Devils to unprecedented heights.

Which Belgian player would you have added to the list? Share your thoughts on your favorite Belgian footballers in the comments or on social media. Your opinion could spark another great discussion about Belgium football legends!

FAQs

Who is Belgium’s all-time top scorer? Romelu Lukaku is Belgium’s record goalscorer, with 88 goals in 122 caps.
Which Belgian has the most caps? Jan Vertonghen has the most appearances (157) for the Belgium national team.
What major tournaments has Belgium won? Belgium’s best results include a third-place finish at the 2018 FIFA World Cup and reaching the UEFA Euro 1980 final. The Golden Generation won bronze at the 2018 World Cup.
Who captained Belgium during its Golden Generation? Vincent Kompany was captain for many years, leading Belgium to its highest-ever world ranking and deep tournament runs.
When did Belgium produce its first soccer legend? Paul Van Himst was Belgium’s first superstar, shining in the 1960s and setting records that stood for decades.

These facts highlight why these top Belgian footballers are remembered as the greatest in their country’s history.