Belgium's so-called golden generation is demonstrating a notable evolution in the current World Cup, with veteran players like Thibaut Courtois, Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, and Axel Witsel adapting their roles as younger talent takes on greater responsibility.
While Courtois has remained a constant presence, playing every minute of the tournament, De Bruyne, Lukaku, and Witsel have seen their roles shift. Witsel, 37, has featured sparingly, appearing for just one minute in a recent victory. Lukaku, 33, has been highly effective, scoring three goals despite playing less than half of the available minutes, often entering the game as a substitute against tiring defenses. De Bruyne, 35, also experienced a mid-tournament injury, a period during which Belgium secured two wins and scored seven goals in approximately 130 minutes of play, contrasting with their performance before his absence.
Full-back Thomas Meunier, a veteran of the 2018 tournament, has also seen his playing time decrease as the competition has progressed.
Despite these changes in their on-field presence, the senior players' contributions remain significant. Courtois continues to be recognized as one of the world's top goalkeepers, Lukaku's goals have proven crucial to the team's success, and De Bruyne's performances were among the team's best prior to his injury. Their current impact is often characterized by their ability to make a difference in critical moments rather than dictating the overall tempo and quality of the team's play.
This transition appears to be managed effectively by the Belgian coaching staff, offering a contrast to how other teams have navigated the decline of their star players. Belgium is now preparing to face Spain in their next match.