“The Red-Black
Devil of Europe” Belgian football club was one of the first competitions in
Europe in 1900s but the first true world-class superstar was created in the
second half 1920s Raymond Braine shined as one of most prominent strikers in
Europe. In the 1960s, Paul Van Himst became the only Belgian player to finish
in top three Ballon’Dor, was called “Pele of Belgium”. Jan Ceulemans
was the most important players for Belgian achievement during the 1980s. Belgium
produced two world-class goalkeepers in the overlapped era between the 1980s
and the first half 1990s, Jean Marie-Pfaff and Michael Preud’homme. Enzo Scifo
is the last Belgian attacking superstar, performing at the peak during the
first half 1990s.
Belgium
Location : Western Europe
European Championship Participation : 5 Times (1972, 1980, 1984, 2000, 2016)
World Cup Participation
: 13 Times (1930, 1934, 1938, 1954,
1970, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2014, 2018)
Achievement : 1980
European Championship Runner-Up
Most Caps : Jan Verthongen (106 Games)
Top Scorer : Romeo Lukaku (30 Goals)
The Greatest Player Ever
: Paul Van Himst
All-Time Belgian Squad
Date Of Birth : 24 January 1959, Height : 183 cm
Position : Goalkeeper,
Major Club : Standard Liege,
Mechelen, Benfica
World Cup Participation : 1990, 1994 (8
Games)
Club Honours : 3 Times Belgian League, 1
Time Belgian Cup
1 Time Portuguese Cup, 1 Time UEFA Cup Winner’s Cup
International Honours : None
Individual Achievement : 2 Times Belgian Golden Shoe
(1987,1989)
1989 Belgian Lifetime achievement award In Sports
1994 FIFA World Cup Yashin
Award
4 Times Belgian Goalkeeper Of The Year
1994 UEFA Club Goalkeeper Of The Year
1994 IFFHS World’s Best Goalkeeper, 2 Times 2nd Place (1989, 1990)
Class : Queen
Silver
2. Eric Gerets
Date Of Birth : 18
May 1954
Position :
Right-Back
Height :
177 cm,
Major Club :
Standard Liege, PSV Eindhoven
World Cup
Participation : 1982, 1986, 1990 (12 Games)
Club Honours : 2
Times Belgian League, 6 Times Dutch League
1 Time Belgian Cup,
3 Times Dutch Cup
1988 UEFA Champion
League
International
Honours : 1980 European Championship Runner-Up
Individual
Achievement : 1982 Belgium Golden Shoe
Class : Prince Gold
3. Armand Swartenbroeks
Date Of Birth : 30
June 1892
Position : Left-Back
Height : 182
cm
Major Club : Daring
Bruxelles
Caps : 53 Games
Olympic Games Participation : 1920, 1924
Club Honours : 3
Times Belgian League
International
Honours : 1920 Olympic Game Gold Medal
Individual
Achievement : None
Class : Prince Silver
4. Laurent Verbiest
Date Of Birth : 16
April 1939
Position :
Center-Back
Height : 182
cm
Major Club :
Anderlecht
Caps : 23
Games
World Cup
Participation : None
Club Honours : 4 Times Belgian League
1 Time Belgian Cup
International
Honours : None
Individual
Achievement : None
Class : Prince Silver
5. Vincent Kompany
Date Of Birth : 10
April 1986
Position : Center-Back
Height :
190 cm,
Major Club :
Anderlecht, Manchester City
World Cup
Participation : None
Club Honours : 1
Time Premier League,
2 Times Belgian
League, 1 Time Belgian Cup
International
Honours : None
Individual
Achievement : 2004 Belgian Golden Shoe
Class : Prince Silver
6. Wilfried Van Moer
Date Of Birth : 1
March 1945
Position : Box-to-Box Midfielder
Height : 168 cm,
Major Club : Standard Liege
World Cup
Participation : 1970, 1982 (6 Games)
Club Honours : 3 Times Belgian League
International
Honours : 1980 European Championship Runner-Up
Individual
Achievement :
3 Times Belgian Golden Shoe (1966, 1969, 1970)
3 Times Belgian Golden Shoe (1966, 1969, 1970)
Standard Liege
Greatest Player Ever
Class : Prince Gold
7. Eden Hazard
Date Of Birth : 7 January 1991
Position : Attacking Midfielder/Left-Winger
Height : 173 cm,
Major Club : Lille, Chelsea
World Cup Participation : None
Club Honours : 1 Time French League, 2 Time Premier League
1 Time FA Cup, French Cup, 2013 UEFA Europa League
International Honours : None
Individual Achievement : 2011 Bravo Awards
2 Times French League Player of The Year (2011, 2012)
2015 PFA Player of the Year
2017 Belgian Golden Shoe
2018 FIFA World Cup Silver Ball
2015 PFA Player of the Year
2017 Belgian Golden Shoe
2018 FIFA World Cup Silver Ball
Class : Queen Bronze
8. Joseph Jurion
Date Of Birth : 16
April 1939
Position : Attacking Midfielder/ Right-Winger
Height : 173 cm,
Major Club :
Anderlecht
World Cup
Participation : None
Club Honours : 8
Times Belgian League
1 Time Belgian Cup
International
Honours : None
Individual
Achievement :
2 Times Belgian Golden Shoe (1957, 1962)
2 Times Belgian Golden Shoe (1957, 1962)
Class : Prince Gold
Date Of Birth : 28
February 1957
Height : 191 cm, Position : Attacking Midfielder
Caps : 96 Games (23 Goals), Major Club :
Club Brugge
Professional Score
Record : 231 Goals/ 515 Games
World Cup
Participation : 1982, 1986, 1990 (16 Games)
Club Honours : 4
Times Belgian League, 2 Times Belgian
Cup
International Honours : 1980 European Championship Runner-Up
International Honours : 1980 European Championship Runner-Up
Individual Achievement : 3
Times Belgian Golden Shoe (1980, 1985,1986)
1980 European
Championship Team of The Tournament
1986 FIFA World
Cup All Star Team
Club Brugge
All-Time Top Scorer - Greatest Player Ever
Class : Queen Bronze
Date Of Birth : 28 June 1991
Height : 181 cm, Position : Playmaker
Major Club : Manchester City Caps : 97 Games (25 Goals)
World Cup Participation : 2014, 2018, 2022 (13 Games)
Club Honours : 1 Time Belgian League
4 Times Premier League
4 Times Premier League
1 Time Belgian Cup,
2021 UEFA Champion League Runner-Up
International Honours : None
Individual Achievement : 2 Times PFA Players of the Year
2 Times Premier League Players of the Season
2015 Bundesliga Player of the Year
2015 Belgian Sportsman of the Year
2015 Belgian Sportsman of the Year
2 Times IFFHS World Best Playmaker (2020, 2021)
3 Times Bronze Ball UEFA Best Men Player of the Year
2022 Bronze Ball European Footballer of the Year
IFFHS UEFA Team of the Decade
Manchester City Greatest Player Ever
Class : Queen Bronze
9. Paul Van Himst
Date Of Birth : 2
October 1943
Height : 181 cm, Position : Creative Forward
Major Club :
Anderlecht, Caps : 81
Games (30 Goals)
World Cup Participation : 1970 (3 Games and No Goal)
Professional Score
Record :
233 Goals/ 457 Games
Club Honours : 8
Times Belgian League, 4 Times Belgian
Cup
International
Honours : None
Individual Achievement : 3
Times Belgian League Top Scorer
4 Times Belgian
Golden Shoe (1960, 1961, 1965, 1974)
Anderlecht and Belgian League Greatest
Player Ever
1999 IFFHS Belgium
Player of The Century
UEFA Jubilee Award
(Belgium),
Class : Queen Bronze
___________________________________________________
Substitution
Date Of Birth : 4 December 1953,
Position : Goalkeeper, Caps : 64 Games
Major Club : Beveren, Bayern Munich
World Cup Participation : 1982, 1986 (10 Games)
Club Honours : 3 Times Bundesliga, 2 Times DFB Pokal
1 Time Belgium Cup, 1987 European Cup Runner-Up
International Honours : 1986 FIFA World Cup Fourth Place
1980 European Championship Runner-Up
Individual Achievement : 1978 Belgium Golden Shoe
2 Times European Goalkeeper Of The Year (1983, 1987)
1987 IFFHS World ‘s Best Goalkeeper
1999 IFFHS Belgium Goalkeeper of The Century
Class : Queen Silver
Position : Goalkeeper, Caps : 64 Games
Major Club : Beveren, Bayern Munich
World Cup Participation : 1982, 1986 (10 Games)
Club Honours : 3 Times Bundesliga, 2 Times DFB Pokal
1 Time Belgium Cup, 1987 European Cup Runner-Up
International Honours : 1986 FIFA World Cup Fourth Place
1980 European Championship Runner-Up
Individual Achievement : 1978 Belgium Golden Shoe
2 Times European Goalkeeper Of The Year (1983, 1987)
1987 IFFHS World ‘s Best Goalkeeper
1999 IFFHS Belgium Goalkeeper of The Century
Class : Queen Silver
Date Of Birth : 19
November 1912
Position : Right-Back
Height :
Unknown
Major Club :
Royal Antwerp
Caps : 41 Games
World Cup Participation : 1938
Club Honours : 2
Times Belgian League
International
Honours : None
Individual
Achievement : None
Class : Prince Bronze
Date Of Birth : 24 June 1927
Position : Left-Back
Height : 168 cm
Major Club : Sk Lierse
Caps : 38 Games
World Cup Participation : 1954
Club Honours : None
International
Honours : None
Individual Achievement :1955 Belgian Golden Shoe
Class : Prince Silver
Class : Prince Silver
15. Georges Grun
Date Of Birth : 25 January 1962
Position : Center-Back
Height : 184 cm
Major Club : Anderlecht, Parma
Caps : 77 Games
World Cup
Participation : 1986, 1990, 1994
Club Honours : 4 Times Belgian League
2 Times Belgian Cup, 1 Time Coppa Italia
1983 UEFA Cup, 1993 Cup Winners' CUp
2 Times Belgian Cup, 1 Time Coppa Italia
1983 UEFA Cup, 1993 Cup Winners' CUp
International
Honours : None
Individual
Achievement : None
Class : Prince Silver
Date Of Birth : 26 January 1927
Position : Defensive Holding Midfielder
Height : 173 cm,
Major Club : Royal Antwerp
World Cup
Participation : 1954 (3 games)
Club Honours : 1 Time Belgian League
1 Time Belgian
Cup
International
Honours : None
Individual
Achievement : 1956 Belgian Golden Shoe
Royal Antwerp Greatest Player Ever
Royal Antwerp Greatest Player Ever
Class : Prince Silver
Date Of Birth : 19 February 1966
Position : Playmaker
Height : 178 cm,
Major Club : Anderlecht, Monaco
World Cup Participation : 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998 (17 Games)
Club Honours : 4 Times Belgium League
1 Time French League, 1 Time Copa Italia
International Honours : None
Individual Achievement : 1984 Belgian Golden Shoe
1986 FIFA World Cup Best Young Player
1990 French League Foreign Player of The Year
Monaco Greatest Player Ever
Class : Prince Gold
18. Bernard Voorhoof
Date Of Birth : 10
May 1910
Height : 176 cm, Position : Deep-Lying Forward
Major Club : SK
Lierse
Caps : 61
Games (30 Goals)
World Cup
Participation : 1930,1934,1938 (3 Games/2 Goals)
Professional
Scores Record : 350 Goals/ 529 Games
Club Honours : 4 Times Belgian League
International
Honours : 1920 Olympic Games Gold Ball
Individual
Achievement : Belgium All-Time Top Scorer
Class : Prince
Silver
Date Of Birth : 18 May 1924
Height : 173 cm, Position : Right-Winger
Major Club : KV Mechelen
Caps : 42 Games
World Cup
Participation : None
Club Honours : 3 Times Belgian League
International
Honours : None
Individual
Achievement :
Class : Prince Silver
Date Of Birth : 29
April 1930
Height : 168 cm, Position : Forward
Major Club : Beerschot
Caps : 47
Games (21 Goals)
World Cup
Participation : 1954 (2 Games With 1 Goal)
Professional
Scores Record : 261 Goals /389 Games
Club/International
Honours : None
Individual
Achievement : 1954 Belgian Golden Shoe
3 Times Belgian
League Top Scorer
2 Times European
League Top Scorer (1953, 1955)
2 Times World
League Top Scorer (1953, 1955)
Class : Prince Silver
21. Raymond Braine
21. Raymond Braine
Date Of Birth : 28 April 1907
Height : 175 cm, Position : Fast Striker
Caps : 54 Games (26 Goals)
Major Club : Sparta Prague, Beerschot
World Cup Participation : 1938 (1 Game)
Professional Scores Record : 352 Goals/ 337 Games
Club Honours : 6 Times Belgian League
2 Times Czechoslovakian League, 1935 Mitropa Cup
International Honours : None
Individual Achievement : 2 Times Belgian League Top Scorer
2 Times Czechoslovak League Top Scorer
Class : Prince Gold
Date Of Birth : 13 May 1993
Height : 190 cm, Position : Target Striker
Major Club : Everton, Man Utd, Caps : 98 Games (64 Goals)
World Cup
Participation : 2018 (8 Games and 5 Goals)
Professional
Scores Record : 251 Goals /508 Games
Club Honours : 1 Time Belgian League
1 Time Italian Series A
International
Honours : None
Individual
Achievement : 2021 Series A Most Valuable Player
1 Time PFA Team of the year
2020 Europa League Player of the season
2021 Euro Team of the Tournament
Class : Prince Silver
Manager
Guy Thys
Year Of Birth :
9 February 1928
Major Team :
Belgium
Major Achievement : 1980 European Championship Runner-Up
1986 FIFA World Cup Fourth Place
Individual Achievement : None
Class : Prince Silver
Conclusion of Squad
GK : Jean Marie-Pfaff, Michel Preud’Homme
DF : Eric Gerets, Armand Swartenbroeks, Laurent Verbiest, Georges
Grun, Alfons Van Brandt, Robert Paverick, Vincent Kompany
MF :Victor Mees, Wilfried Van Moer, Enzo Scifo, Joseph
Jurion, Jan Cuelemans, Kevin De Bruyne, Eden Hazard, Victor Lemberechts
FW : Paul Van Himst (Captain), Bernard Voorhoof, Henri Coppens,
Raymond Braine, Romeo Lukaku
Manager : Guy Thys
Formation XI (4-1-3-2)
Explanation of Formation
Preud’Homme slightly beat Marie-Pfaff as a starter for
his better performance for Belgium national team. Eric Gerets is the most
outstanding player in defensive line would be aggressively act as a right-full-back.
Swartenbroeks also stand as a left-full-back. Verbiest as a sweeper and Kompany
as a stopper is partnership of central defender. Van Moer would perform as a destroyer-holding
midfielder allowing De Bruyne independently create the games from midfield area.
Ceulemans is to mainly support offensive task and would occasionally switch
himself to left-side position. Hazard operates on the left-wing as a creative left-side midfielder. Jurion is a semi-right-midfielder, is assigned to
technically run with the ball in his responsible area to get deeper of opponent’s
defensive line. Van Himst is the most expected player in forward line as a
creative forward.
King Badouin Stadium
Opened : 1930
(Renovated In 1995)
(Renovated In 1995)
Capacity : 50,122 Seats
City : Brussels
Field Dimension : 106x66m
Statistics
By Decades
|
By Class
|
By Club
|
1910s : 1
1920s : -
1930s : 2
1940s : 1
1950s : 2
1960s : 3
1970s : 2
1980s : 2.5
1990s : 1.5
2000s : 1 2010s : 3 |
King : -
Queen : 4
Prince : 18
|
Anderlecht : 10
Standard Liege : 3
Club Brugge : 2
Beerchots : 2
Beveren : 1
Mechelen : 1
Genk : 1 Lierse : 1 Royal Antwerp : 1 |
Major Reserved Group
Thibat Courtois
Position : Goalkeeper, Height 200 cm
Major Club : Chelsea, Real Madrid
Caps : 80 Games
World Cup Participation : 2018
Club Honours : 2 Times La Liga
1 Time Copa Del Rey, 2012 Europa League
2014 UEFA Champion League Runner-Up
2018 FIFA Club World Cup
International Honours : None
Individual Achievement : 2013 La Liga Best Goalkeeper
2014 Belgian Sportsman of the year
2017 Premier League Golden Glove
2018 FIFA World Cup Best Goalkeeper
2018 IFFHS World Best Goalkeeper, 2014 Runner-Up
Class : Prince Gold
Christian Piot
Date Of Birth : 4 October
1947
Position :
Goalkeeper
Height : 180
cm
Major Club :
Standard Liege
Caps : 40
Games
World Cup
Participation : 1970
Club Honours : 3 Times Belgian League
International
Honours : 1972 UEFA Euro Runner-Up
Individual
Achievement : 1972
Belgian Golden Shoe
Class : Prince
Silver
Franky Van Der Elst
Date Of Birth : 30 April 1961
Position : Defensive Holding Midfielder
Height : 184 cm,
Major Club : Club Brugge
World Cup Participation : 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998 (14 Games)
Club Honours : 6 Times Belgian League
3 Times Belgian Cup
International Honours : None
Individual Achievement :
2 Times Belgian Golden Shoe (1990, 1996)
2 Times Belgian Golden Shoe (1990, 1996)
Class : Prince Silver
Louis Van Hege
Date Of Birth : 8
May 1889
Position : Forward
Height : 180
cm
Major Club :
Union Saint Gilloise, AC Milan
Caps : 29
Games (11 Goals)
Olympic Games Participation : 1920, 1924
Professional
Scores Record : 97 Goals/ 88 Games
Club Honours : 3 Times Belgian League
International
Honours : 1920 Olympic Games Gold Medal
Individual
Achievement : None
Class : Prince
Silver
Raoul Lambert
Raoul Lambert
Date Of Birth : 22 October 1944
Height : 183 cm, Position : Forward
Major Club : Club Brugge
Caps : 33 Games (18 Goals)
World Cup Participation : 1970
Professional Scores Record : 216 Goals / 373 Games
Club Honours : 5 Times Belgian League, 3 Times Belgian Cup
1976 UEFA Cup Runner-Up, 1978 European Cup Runner-Up
1976 UEFA Cup Runner-Up, 1978 European Cup Runner-Up
International Honours : None
Individual Achievement : 1 Time Belgian League Top Scorer
1972 UEFA Euro Best XI
Class : Prince Silver
Albert De Cleyn
Date Of Birth : 28
June 1917
Height : Unknown, Position : Target
Striker
Major Club :
Mechelen, Caps : 12
Games (9 Goals)
World Cup
Participation : 1954 (2 Games With 1 Goal)
Professional
Scores Record : 377 Goals / 488 Games
Club Honours : 3
Times Belgian League
International
Honours : None
Individual
Achievement : 2 Times Belgian League Top Scorer
2 Times European
League Top Scorer (1953, 1955)
Belgian League All-Time Highest Scorer in a Single Season
Belgian League All-Time Highest Scorer in a Single Season
All-Time Belgian
League Top Scorer
Class : Prince Silver
Erwin Vandenbergh
Date Of Birth : 26 January 1959
Height : 183 cm, Position : Forward
Major Club : SK Lierse, Anderlecht, Lille, Gent
Caps : 48 Games (20 Goals)
World Cup Participation : 1982, 1986 (6 Games/2 Goals)
Professional Scores Record : 306 Goals / 503 Games
Club Honours : 2 Times Belgian League, 1983 UEFA Cup
International Honours : 1980 European Championship Runner-Up
Individual Achievement : 1980 European Golden Shoe
Belgian League All-Time Most Top Scorers (6 Times)
Belgian League All-Time Most Top Scorers (6 Times)
1983 UEFA Cup Top Scorer
Class : Prince Silver
Jeff MermansDate Of Birth : 16 February 1922
Height : 182 cm, Position : Target Striker
Major Club : Anderlecht, Caps : 56 Games (28 Goals)
World Cup Participation : 1954 (2 Games and No Goal)
Professional Scores Record : 343 Goals /384 Games
Club Honours : 7 Times Belgian League
International Honours : None
Individual Achievement : 1954 Belgian Golden Shoe
4 Times Belgian League Top Scorer
1950 European/World League Top Scorer
Anderlecht All-Time Top Scorer
Class : Prince Silver
Minor Reserved Group
Goalkeeper
Jean De Bie
Defender
Michael Renquin
Phillip Albert
Midfielder
Lorenzo Staelens
Mark Wilmots
Wilfried Puis
Wilfried Puis
Forward
Jean Capelle
The Greatest Belgian Footballers of All-Time
1. Jean-Marie Pfaff
2. Eden Hazard
3. Paul Van Himst
4. Michael Preud'Homme
5. Kevin De Bruyne
6. Jan Ceulemans
7. Raymond Braine
8. Thibat Courtois
9. Wilfried Van Moer
10. Enzo Scifo
as dearman time, its good Belgica is interesting but after my research I would trade Vanderberg by Raoul Lambert, Hazard by François Van der Elst and mention Van Byst and Leopold Anoul
ReplyDeleteGood call on Lambert who finished 2nd place once and 3rd place twice in Belgian Golden Shoe. Could you give me support info to confirm great status of Van Byst and Anoul ?
Deletefor now only saw two games Van Byst and enjoyed now Anoul had a great time in your selection also plays during the World Cup 54 and also in your club
DeleteWhat about Ludo Coeck? He won 3 times different Cup's with Andertecht! If his range (abilities) is low for the Museum?
ReplyDeleteHe was capped for the Belgian national team 46 times (4 goals).
He finished second place Belgian Golden Shoe once in 1982 and Fifth in 1983, is just below average from the top group. He was a first team player just one tournament in the 1982 World Cup, is rather inconsistency. Coeck also failed in his career at Inter Milan.
ReplyDeletevan moer's height is 168cm.
ReplyDeleteWhere is Luc Nilis?
ReplyDeleteHe was broken leg and his great moment of career was happened shortly.
DeleteHazard is left-winger.
ReplyDeleteLUC NILIS
ReplyDeleteNational Player 99/00 PSV Eindhoven 25 19 1 (I) Champion -
National Player 98/99 PSV Eindhoven 27 24 3 (I) - -
National Player 97/98 PSV Eindhoven 24 13 2 (I) - -
National Player 96/97 PSV Eindhoven 26 21 1 (I) Champion -
National Player 95/96 PSV Eindhoven 31 21 2 (I) - Cup Winner
National Player 94/95 PSV Eindhoven 30 12 3 (I) - -
National Player 93/94 RSC Anderlecht 30 25 1 (I) Champion Cup
National Player 92/93 RSC Anderlecht 28 19 1 (I) Champion -
National Player 91/92 RSC Anderlecht 27 16 2 (I) - -
National Player 90/91 RSC Anderlecht 30 19 1 (I) Champion -
National Player 89/90 RSC Anderlecht 27 10 2 (I) - -
National Player 88/89 RSC Anderlecht 33 19 2 (I) - Cup Winner
National Player 87/88 RSC Anderlecht 32 14 4 (I) - Cup Winner
86/87 RSC Anderlecht 16 5 1 (I) Champion -
If Hazard is Prince silver class that would mean that he should be in top 100 players ever, considering rating ranges you provided in methodology. Or I don't understand it correctly?
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure which part of methodology do you refer to ? Players have been good enough for top 100 with Queen Bronze class at least.
DeleteMark Wilmots doesn't even get a place in the reserves? He's the all time Belgian top scorer in World Cups, and he was an important player for both Standard Liege and Schalke.
ReplyDeleteHe was not rated enough by kicker (too few international-class seasons). He was also never finished in top five Belgian players of the year http://forums.bigsoccer.com/threads/belgian-golden-shoe-soulier-dor-1954-2010.1853033/
DeleteGeorges Grun may have a place in Reserve he was a consistent defender both for Anderlecht and Parma.
ReplyDeleteI have found that he is one of the highest potential candidates to have been omitted. He is rated so high during his 3.5 seasons in Series A. According to Belgian Golden shoe awards, he finished I top five twice times. Grun should replace Walter Meeuws who was never named in top five even he stayed in Belgian league almost the whole career.
DeleteHe was a very good player. He was also able to play as right back. He was captain of Belgium 5 years. I remeber he was considered as one of the best foreign defender in Serie A. Glad to see him added.
DeleteCharles Cambier. "Brugge"'s halfback. He was first belgian star (before WWI).
ReplyDeleteYou underrate Hazard. When he's in form, I can't think of any reason to consider him weaker than any one apart from Van Himst
ReplyDeleteHe has not collected seasons enough.
DeleteWhat do you think about Kévin de Bruyne? He have potencial to be added to the main squad in the future?
ReplyDeleteSorry for late reply. He is likely to be included in the future when there are not many great candidates against him.
DeleteGeorges Heylens? English journalist Hallam Gordon selected him as the 9th Greatest right-back of the past 25 years(1958-1983) in 1983.
ReplyDeleteDetailed Ranking
1. Djalma Santos, 2. Tarchisio Burgnich, 3. Berti Vogts, 4. Carlos Alberto, 5. Eric Gerets, 6. Claudio Gentile, 7. Jimmy Armfield, 8. Luis Ubina, 9. Georges Heylens, 10. Horst-Dieter Hottges
Interesting list. He will be a strong contender in right-back reserved position. Let me check more info about him.
ReplyDeleteNaratorn, I strongly recommend world-class Right back Georges Heylens. Besides above source(Hallam Gordon's ranking), 'France Football' selected him as the 10th greatest full-back of all time in 1984.
ReplyDeleteThis is the Ranking. Except overrating of Bossis, I think it's good list.
1. Nilton Santos (Brazil)
2. Giacinto Facchetti(Italy)
3. Paul Breitner (West Germany)
4. Carlos Alberto (Brazil)
5. Maxime Bossis (France)
6. Djalma Santos (Brazil)
7. Fahrudin Jusufi (Yugoslavia)
8. Antonio Cabrini (Italy)
9. Silvio Marzolini (Argentina)
10. Georges Heylens (Belgium)
Yes I was ever informed. He is anyway named in top 5 Belgian golden shoe just one time, finishing third place in 1965. So, I'm not sure if he is great enough. The France football poll could be biased in the last ranks. In best player ever by France football poll, even Rafael Gordillo appeared by few votes.
DeleteI Think at least, Georges Heylens is better than Robert Paverick. Because in my opinion, being Mentioned in two celebrated sources is very worth. It mean some experts thought he is one of the greaetst side backs of all time.
DeleteAnyway, How about Wilfried Puis, Michel Renquin and Rudo Coeck?
Refer to Belgian Golden Shoe awards, Renquin was never named in any top 5. Coeck finished in 4th and 5th once of each is not enough.
DeleteWilfried Puis is interesting as he won awards one time and one runner-up. He is at least deserved in minor reserve group and not sure if he is better than Vercauteren ?
Kevin De Bruyne could be mentionned.
ReplyDeleteKevin De Bruyne is a great Playmaker/Attacking Midfielder, he is one of the best players in the world. You could consider him.
ReplyDeleteSure but he has not collected enough. Let wait until the end of this season at least.
DeleteGood response in return of this question with solid arguments and describing everything about that.
ReplyDeleteRudo Coeck finished 2nd in 1982 Belgian golden shoe. Also I think you should consider Rene Vandereycken and Julien Cools.
ReplyDeleteLittle corrections about Georges Grun : He won belgian championship 4x (85, 86, 87 and 95). He playd at WC 86 90 and 94 and at Euro 84. He was also runner up for C2 twice (90 and 94)and for C3 once (84)
ReplyDeleteOK, Thanks.
DeleteI'm surprised that mahrez of North Africa Union has Prince SILVER and an higher class than De Bruyne who has Prince BRONZE, de bruyne is considered to be one of the very best players in the world, mahrez is perhaps one of the best players in the premier league
ReplyDeleteDe Bruyne should have been Price Silver when I forgot to update his class.
DeleteJan Verthongen has now more caps than J Ceulemans
ReplyDeleteThanks. I'll update.
Deletewhat about Lukaku?
ReplyDeleteIt depends on the rest of games in world cup and I think he need more one international-class season at least.
DeleteLukaku is Belgian all time Top scorer with 40 goals.can you update the stats?
ReplyDeleteKevin de Bruyne Prince Gold?
ReplyDeleteWhat about Courtois?
ReplyDeleteCourtois is much better than Christian Piot, 2018 Golden Glove belongs to Courtois!
ReplyDeleteHe is much better but he need to collect more seasons to get enough amount.
DeleteIs Courtois far to be qualified now ?
DeleteI just forget to make his profile. Now I have done it.
DeleteLol, if Hazard is queen bronze, then so should be De Bruyne. And he should definitely be in first suad. Let's face it, those are two best belgian players ever, just because they're playing right now doesn't mean we have to wait
ReplyDeleteThe selection take longevity of performance into account also. Hazard has played much more great seasons.
DeleteWell, probably he did, but De Bruyne has decent amount of very good seasons. He's basically world class level from 2014 up to now
DeleteMertens was extremely good in 2016-17 season. I don't really think there were any belgian attackers, other than Hazard and De Bruyne, who were better then Mertens in the last 30 years. And tactically, he also would be very good option from the bench in this all time XI. He can practically be a decent sub for any of the front 5. You have too many pure forwards on the bench anyway, Braine propably the best, so you could drop one of the others.
ReplyDeleteBut I guess Mertens doesnt have enough world class seasons or something for you. IMO it shouldn't matter when compiling all time squads
Mertens is rated at 6.74 average seasonal point, is really high enough for world-class rating. However, the rest of other seasons saw very low rating so his consistency seems not be great enough.
DeleteJan Vertonghen
ReplyDeleteDate Of Birth : 24 September 1927 ???
NILIS?? LUC NILIS????
ReplyDeleteVic Mees for positional ranking, winner of Belgian Golden Shoe in 1956, second in 1955 and third in 1957. He was a ball-playing right half.
ReplyDeleteIn 1999, Football Magazine asked some specialists their Belgium team of the century.
ReplyDeleteHere are their answers (all in 4-3-3) :
* Robert Waseige (former Belgium coach) : Preud'Homme - Gerets - Verbiest - Albert - Anoul - Ceulemans - Van Moer - Van Himst - Coppens - Mermans - Puis ;
* Michel D'Hooghe (former Royal Belgian Football Association chairman) : Pfaff - Gerets - Verbiest - Carré - Swartenbroeks - Braine - Ceulemans - Van Moer - Coppens - Van Himst - Mermans ;
* Guy Thys (former Belgium coach) : Pfaff - Paverick - Gerets - Mees - Heylens - Van Moer - Ceulemans - Jurion - Van Himst - Coppens - Braine ;
* Alex Ponnet (former referee) : Piot - Gerets - Verbiest - Carré - Van Brandt - Van Moer - Ceulemans - Scifo - Lemberechts - Coppens - Braine ;
* Eddy Wauters (former Antwerp chairman) : Preud'Homme - Gerets - Mees - Carré - Van Brandt - Ceulemans - Van Moer - Braine - Coppens - Mermans - Van Himst ;
* André Remy (former TV commentator) : Preud'Homme - Grun - Verbiest - Albert - Renquin - Scifo - Van Moer - Vercauteren - Degryse - Van Himst - Ceulemans ;
* Marcel Van Langenhove (former referee) : Pfaff - Gerets - Verbiest - Mees - Anoul - Van Moer - Van Himst - Coeck - Ceulemans - Coppens - Mermans ;
* Frans Meulemans (former Royal Belgium Football Association chairman) : Preud'Homme - Gerets - Verbiest - Carré - Renquin - Swartenbroeks - Braine - Van Moer - Ceulemans - Voorhoof - Van Himst ;
* Raymond Goethals (former Belgium coach) : Piot - Gerets - Grun - Mees - Anoul - Van Moer - Van Himst - Braine - Coppens - Mermans - Ceulemans ;
* Jean Duriaux (former TV commentator) : Piot - Gerets - Dewalque - Verbiest - Mees - Scifo - Van Moer - Jurion - Ceulemans - Coppens - Van Himst.
Flemish specialists usually consider Mermans, Coppens & Braine as greatest belgian players ever.
Pol Anoul (left inside forward or left back) is considered by many as the greatest walloon player ever.
His teammate at FC Liège, Louis Carré, played 50 full matches in a row for national team.
Vic Mees (Gentleman Vic) was a versatile player and one of the best belgian midfielders ever.
Some of Standard Liège players deserve to be mentionned :
- Jean Nicolay : 39 matches, all time best Standard keeper alongside Piot, belgian Golden Shoe in 1963 ;
- Nico Dewalque : 33 matches, courted by AC Milan and spanish teams ; 5 times in the top 5 of the belgian Golden Shoe (2d in '69 and '73) ;
- Jean Thissen : 34 matches, left back or central defender, essential member of the great Standard defense unit of the 70's + 2 C2 with Anderlecht ;
- Léon Semmeling : 35 matches, one of the greatest belgian wingers, 5 belgian championships ;
- Denis Houf : 26 matches, member of the great Belgium team of WC '54, one of the greatest belgian offensive midfielders, 3 times on the podium of the belgian Golden Shoe (2d in '61, 2 points behind Van Himst - legend says that a journalist who awarded Houf 3 points forgot to post his vote) ;
- Roger Claessen : 17 matches, the belgian "George Best", exceptional n°9, elected Standard greatest player ever (229 matches for Standard, scoring 161 goals) ; his face now adorns a column of a stadium grandstand Sclessin.
The low number of selections of most of these players can be explained by the fact that Roger Petit, chairman of Standard at the time, didn't want his players to attend those of rival Anderlecht.
Can you explain why Kévin de Bruyne is not in the first team instead of Scifo?
ReplyDeleteLet's be honest, Kévin de Bruyne was regarded as some of the very best footballer in the world in his peak (World top-3) for more than one season + his 2014/15 season.
In any moment Scifo achieved that peak and wasn't was that consistent at top tier football.
I believe he has surpassed Scifo to date and I will update at the end of season.
DeleteDe Bruyne has been the best midfielder for years now. He deserves to be in the first team squad. Both him and Hazard are doing insanely good at the Euros so far. Lukaku also deserves to be here, of course not as highly rated as the other two, but still deserves it.
ReplyDeleteShouldn't De Bruyne be in top ten greatest belgian footballers by now?
ReplyDeleteThanks for notice. as I check the scores in PHF, Marie Pfaff is actually the best Belgian players ever. Hazard as become second.
Deleteshouldent Pfaf be the starting goalkeeper if he is also lsited as the nations best ever
ReplyDeleteDe Bruyne and Courtois should be in Queen Bronze class.
ReplyDeleteI do not see how Courtois and De Bruyne are lesser players than Hazard.
ReplyDeleteThey are all three amazing.. sad that Hazard used to be such a god in premier league and also for the NT. Then he moved to RM and became overweight.. he's bad at the moment because of being lazy. He was called the best PL player several seasons in a row there.
DeleteCurtois and De Bruyne has overtaken him career wise. They have both been consistently amazing for years now. They did what they could in this WC, but as De Bruyne said, the Belgian golden generation is too old now. Lukaku is mostly to blame for Belgium's embarrassing exit.
KDB is easily the best Belgian player ever by now. The guy dominates chances created, through passes, pass accuracy, assists, vision throughout all the top5 leagues in the world. I think he's at least queen silver now at this point, Naratorn. Curtois has been so good last season and so far this one as well. Don't you think they both deserve an upgrade?
ReplyDeleteDries mertens and Naingollan need mentions as well as vertonghen and Alderweireld. They were regularly among the best in their positions in their leagues.
ReplyDeleteMaurice Martens could be evaluated
ReplyDeleteI would advise Raymond Braine in the starting lineup as a false 9, instead of Ceulemans.
ReplyDeleteIn my mind he remains the greatest player in Belgian history. He performed exceptionally well in the largest stage available to him [Mitropa Cup, where he is along with Pesek, Meazza, and Sindelar its best performers]. He was regarded as, along with Sindelar, the most technical player in Europe at the time.
Maurice Martens should be evaluated
ReplyDeleteMany players for added that last this years for reserve team. Mignolet/ Alderweireld, Verthongen, Vermaelen/ Fellaini, Witsel, Tielemans, Ferreira Carrasco/ Mertens, Batshuayi, Doku.
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