De Bruyne key to Belgium's hopes but doubts remain over his fitness

The midfield maestro is very much the talisman for his club as well as his country, who will have high hopes of doing well at the tournament in Germany, but there is a perennial air of fragility over De Bruyne’s physical condition.

He missed the early part of City's season with a hamstring injury and won the last of his 99 caps for Belgium more than a year ago in a March 2023 friendly win away to Germany.

De Bruyne's return to the national side will be eagerly anticipated as he provides key experience and a match-winning drive. Just as at his club, he is the creative brain, given the freedom and responsibility to direct matters on the field.

His technical ability, exemplified by his first touch and the range and accuracy of passing, is matched by his ability to expertly read the play and make game-changing decisions.

But having him fit for the tournament, where Belgium kick off their Group E campaign against Slovakia in Frankfurt on June 17, will be the priority.

De Bruyne played with torn ankle ligaments when Belgium went out to Italy in the Euro 2000 quarter-finals, with the injury blamed for their demise, and Belgium coach Domenico Tedesco will be desperately hoping he is in shape for this month's challenge.

The pair might not have seen much of each other over the last 18 months but De Bruyne has already signalled his approval of the new coach, who took over from Roberto Martinez after a disappointing 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

De Bruyne, who will turn 33 during the tournament, labelled the Belgium side too old in Qatar. They flopped amid reports of friction in the camp, going out in the first round. Tedesco has done much refreshing of the team and their tactics since.

"The new system ensures that we can put more pressure and win the ball faster," said an approving De Bruyne.

"Then you will regain possession of the ball faster and that is the intention of our coach."

As for De Bruyne’s role there remains a long-running debate in Belgium over where he is best suited. The consensus seems to be he is most effective in central midfield.

"The discussion about my position in the national team will continue. I have now played almost a hundred international matches and how many have we won? Wherever I am: I do my job.

"You journalists always make that a theme and we players can't do anything about it," said De Bruyne.