After Belgian lost to France by 0-1 in the round of 16 of Euros 2024, the Belgian centre-back Jan Vertonghen has announced that he has retired from the international football.
Belgium got knock out of Euros 2024 because of the own goal by Vertonghen, just after the match the defender announced that he will be retiring from the international football. He is currently a free agent after his contract ended last season.
A great Belgium defender retires from football
Jan Vertonghen announced his the news of his retirement, he wrote in a post: “First one, last one. Thanks for all the memories, I lived my dream, the dream I wanted!”
Vertonghen was one of the best player for the Belgium in their history, he made his debut in June 2007 for the Belgium and since than he played 157 games for his country. He was part of the golden generation of the Belgium team which include players like Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku, and other best players. But the golden generation was unable to win any trophies, they made to the semi-final of the 2018 world cup but were beaten in the semi-final by France, but they won the third place in the world cup after winning against England by 2-0, they also reached the quarter-finals of Euro 2020. They played some good games and also best some of the best teams in the world but unable to win any trophies is the only regret they have.
The Belgium defender is currently out of contract after his contract with Anderlecht has expired, the Belgian giants are eager to sign him an extension, but he has not yet confirmed about his decision to the club.
Jan Vertonghen had a great club football career
He has made the highest appearances for Belgium anyone else, he has the record to his name, he had made 157 caps since June,2007
Jan started playing his career in Ajax, he joined the Dutch team in 2006, he played 155 games for them and then in 2012 he joined Tottenham Hotspur, he became a legend there as he played a total of 300 games for the Spurs. He played there till 2020 and left the in the summer of 2020, from Spurs he joined Benfica where he played only 57 games as he only stayed at the club for two year before leaving the club in 2022.
His time at Tottenham was the best time in his career, he played in two major cup finals, including the Champions League final in 2019, where he played an important part leading the team to the finals. After that season he became the fan favourite and a club legend.
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