Kevin De Bruyne's attitude has been criticised by Belgium's national press as pressure on the midfielder begins to grow.
The country's media turned on De Bruyne on Sunday following another disappointing display in his side's 2-0 defeat to Morocco, which came after Jan Vertonghen took a dig at his team-mate in an interview.
Images have been shared of the 31-year-old's poor body language before Sunday's game began, with the media in Belgium accusing his poor attitude of frustrating other players in the side.
Belgium's Twitter account shared an image from inside a pre-match huddle at the Al Thumama Stadium, with substitute Romelu Lukaku giving a pre-match team talk to his side.
De Bruyne is the only player not embracing the rest of his team in the image, as he stands with his arms by his side, seemingly motionless as Lukaku speaks.
The picture was picked up by Belgian website HLN, with former Red Devils striker Gilles De Bilde picking it apart in his post-match analysis.
De Bilde added that De Bruyne's frustrations are rubbing off on others, saying: 'He is the best player in this selection, but he frustrates the others and is frustrated because it is not working himself. And that's not a good sign.'
This is potentially the last shot at success for Belgium's regularly-branded 'golden generation', with several of the players probably playing at their final World Cup in Qatar.
De Bruyne slammed his team ahead of the tournament, admitting he felt they had 'no chance' of winning it because they are 'too old'.
For good measure, the 31-year-old, who has spoken out against manager Roberto Martinez in the past, said the team's younger players are 'not of the same level as the players who said goodbye after the 2018 World Cup'.
Though manager Roberto Martinez tried to defend his star man, Vertonghen took aim following the defeat to Morocco, saying: 'We probably also attack badly because we are too old, that must be it now, surely?
'We have a lot of quality up front, but so does Morocco, and they came out better today. This is very frustrating.
'There's so much going through my mind right now, things I shouldn't say in the open air. I don't think we created any chances. Where did it go wrong?'
Amid the Belgium press' attack on De Bruyne, De Standaard provided possibly the harshest assessment of the lot, with the headline reading: 'Defeat against Morocco exposes mutual distrust among Red Devils.'
They added: 'Can someone shake De Bruyne awake?'
Mebacoy
0
KDB Made A Very Honest Statement For Belgium Team Members.
Suigetsu
0
Shut up clown From the pic alone u can see his big ego Y say such when a world competition is on going ,that’s so childish like Ronaldo , he could hv rejected playing for Belgium when they called him Up am sure no one will arrest him if he refuses to join the national team so while come out in public to spit on there face , he was banged average thanks to pep that helped his little washed career He is lucky he has good shot/ pass power if not he is not a world class intelligent midfielder and he can’t run the midfield especially in tight spaces like modric and other intelligent midfielders do , he is lucky pep system is helping him thrive
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Y include Ronaldo’s name in the thrash u just vomited
Mariosuarez2
1
Shut up clown From the pic alone u can see his big ego Y say such when a world competition is on going ,that’s so childish like Ronaldo , he could hv rejected playing for Belgium when they called him Up am sure no one will arrest him if he refuses to join the national team so while come out in public to spit on there face , he was banged average thanks to pep that helped his little washed career He is lucky he has good shot/ pass power if not he is not a world class intelligent midfielder and he can’t run the midfield especially in tight spaces like modric and other intelligent midfielders do , he is lucky pep system is helping him thrive
SubashChandru
0
Eden harzard 😂
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Chelsea Hazard Fat better than RM
SubashChandru
1
Jahbcklsu
0
Why do you play the match if you know you don't really want to??
coaalmty
0
He has been the worst player in the squad by his standards
Mumcdoptuz
0
Every loss brings distractions
Thul10
0
waiting to say "Let Me Talk"
batman83
3
Eden hazard should start on the bench
denismalja123
2
Kevi De Bruyne in that moment "be like"😂😂
UFO89
2
de Bryune is right in his assessment. The team's too old. And, manager Roberto Martinez's persistence with the older guys and the guys who're out of form is frustrating de Bryune. He's clearly not happy with the manager and the team. Martinez's too loyal. The same core of players for years now. When things are not working, change is inevitable. But, it seems he doesn't listen or care.
Saurabh_Mehta
3
he's disappointed in his team because he wants the best of his team.
⚽CR7FOREVER⚽
1
KDB hates playing international matches. he complained about nations league games saying this are useless games. games like international friendly and nations league games helps u to cope pressure which u gets during international matches. Belgium golden generation is scary on paper not on field. International international trophies
Vuuklnops
1
i feel like it's an elderly acre not a competing team anymore it is full of useless Grandpa's, for instance what has Eden hazard done a whole season until being chosen in a squad maybe they should try up a chess game its suitable for them
Shahrenn82
0
I bet he wear rainbow panty
vecabcky
2
Belgium media criticized KDB and the team is XI players,isn’t fair KDB by him self he can’t win a game we need every player to do their job,KDB is a great player and he is a respected by world football fans.
teeacdlpr
0
It's over for them. Something emotional is attached to KDB's display. It's obvious he's not himself.
there*
lawalidris
6
I am so sorry for KDB finding himself in this squad who are struggling in their respective club except Courtois.
eggosa91
5
Eden harzard 😂
teeacdlpr
1
It's over for them. Something emotional is attached to KDB's display. It's obvious he's not himself.
I agree their is no passion in the team
teeacdlpr
0
why is this team in the world Cup 🤣🤣🤣 bring Italy back, bunch of children
Dante101
1
how can u blame kdb when his team not playing to help him belgium needs young players around kdb not older players gasah
vishvajeet_singh
3
He isn't happy playing for the Red Devils😂😂
Herncypoteau
1
To me the only player who’s awake is Courtois the rest of the team trash every one is sleeping on the field please Red Devil wake up
helkath
2
It's over for them. Something emotional is attached to KDB's display. It's obvious he's not himself.
ceuabnor
5
De Bruyne is becoming like Pep 😂😂😂
champ11
1
starting and playing the hazard brothers who hardly had playing minutes all season n last . and want to put the blame on KDB ? KDB is good but he cannot make miracles
he lost a ball 27 times yesterday don't defend him
N0_N0NsENSE
1
Disharmony between the teammates can cost them dearly. Hope this issue is resolved on time. If not bye bye Belgium 👋
bamabkms
1
starting and playing the hazard brothers who hardly had playing minutes all season n last . and want to put the blame on KDB ? KDB is good but he cannot make miracles
Zuoadikty
1
The thing is the only players in end of Golden generation who are playing highest level football are KdB n Courtois. Eden is having a large slump n Lukaku is washed out. Rest are probably fringe players or those who play in midtable teams. it's unfair to expect him to deliver alone.
Kingbobbyfemie20
0
Hes talked his team down before their last match. They are losing their moral.
Nohaclr
4
Belgium plays a 3-4-2-1 or a 3-4-3 formation, which is very similar, EVERY GAME. This gives you 7 defenders. EXCEPT for the game against Morocco, which they ran a 4-2-3-1. Because the coach, to start the Hazard brothers side-by-side in a World Cup match, had to give up one defender. Thorgen Hazard hasn’t in started a competitive match for Belgium all year. He’s only started 6/21 games for Dortmund. Eden has only started 2/6 games for Real. The loss of one defender, and the ineptness of the Hazard brothers to hold onto the ball puts more pressure on your keeper when you’re down a defender. Roberto Martinez, the coach, hasn’t won anything at the top flight. He used to coach Everton. The press is blaming de Bruyne for the loss but it’s playing the Hazard brothers that could be Belgium’s downfall. That is a sorry state of affairs.
piheklmz
1
result
Ameerul24
1
that picture goes hard😂