July 05, (THEWILL) – Belgian defender, Jan Vertonghen, has announced his retirement from international football, ending a remarkable 17-year career with the national team. The 37-year-old, who holds the record for most caps for Belgium with 157 appearances, announced on Friday, via his Instagram account.
Vertonghen’s international journey began in July 2007 with a debut against Portugal in a Euro qualifying match. His final appearance came in the recent Euro 2024 tournament, where Belgium suffered a 1-0 defeat to France in the round of 16. The match ended in heartbreak for Vertonghen, as his goal proved decisive in knocking Belgium out of the competition.
Throughout his international career, Vertonghen participated in six major tournaments and netted 10 goals for his country. The Belgian Football Association expressed their gratitude on their website stating: “Thanks for everything, Jan!” They added on Instagram: “From the training ground to the pitch, you showed us what it was to be a true Red Devil. We’ll miss you, January.”
At club level, Vertonghen’s career has spanned several top European teams. He started with Ajax before spending eight successful years at Tottenham Hotspur. A stint at Benfica followed and he is currently playing for Anderlecht in his home country.
As Vertonghen hangs up his international boots, he leaves behind a legacy as one of Belgium’s most dedicated and accomplished players. His departure marks the end of an era for the Belgian national team, who will now look to their younger generation to fill the void left by their most-capped player.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
