Nico Raskin's season has taken a dramatic turn, evolving from an outcast at Rangers to a pivotal figure for Belgium in the World Cup. The midfielder, once excluded from the Rangers squad by manager Russell Martin, is now central to Belgium's campaign as they head into a quarter-final match against Spain.
Raskin's resurgence began after a difficult start to the 2025-26 season. In August and September, he was dropped from the Rangers squad by Martin, who favored Joe Rothwell in midfield. While the specifics of their disagreement remain unclear, Martin suggested speculation linking Raskin to Turkish clubs may have influenced his attitude. Raskin was subsequently left out of the matchday squad for the Old Firm game against Celtic. His departure for international duty saw him score his first goal for Belgium in a World Cup qualifying win against Kazakhstan, yet Martin maintained his stance, leaving Raskin out of the next game against Hearts, which Rangers lost 2-0.
Martin was dismissed from his role at Rangers less than a month later following a draw that left the club eighth in the league. In contrast, Raskin's form improved significantly. His performance in Belgium's crucial World Cup qualifying victory over Wales in October earned him a regular spot in the national squad for the finals. Back at Rangers, he became a key player under new manager Danny Rohl, who utilized Raskin as a crucial tactical option. Rohl expressed his trust in the midfielder, stating, "He's my guy on the pitch when I need to make a tactical change."
Raskin's influence was instrumental in Rangers' run back into title contention, though they ultimately finished third. Signed from Standard Liege for £1.75 million in January 2023, Raskin has not won any silverware during his 145 appearances for Rangers. However, his time in Scotland has been a stepping stone to international success.
His World Cup journey with Belgium started slowly, with appearances as a substitute and a substitution himself in the early group games. He made a significant impact in the 5-1 win over New Zealand, providing an assist for Romelu Lukaku's goal, which secured Belgium's progression. In the last 32 tie against Senegal, Raskin came on when Belgium trailed 2-0 and his energy helped force extra time, leading to a 3-2 victory.
His performances earned him a start in the last 16 match against the USA, where he contributed an assist for Charles De Ketelaere's opening goal in a 4-1 win. Belgium's veteran goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois praised Raskin's contribution, describing him as "really very prominent, a real driving force" who operates effectively in both attack and defense.
Belgium is now set to face Spain, the reigning European champions who are on a 35-match unbeaten run and have not conceded a goal in the tournament. Raskin is expected to embrace the challenge of competing in midfield against elite players like Rodri and Pedri. As Raskin aims to cap off his remarkable season, Rangers are reportedly preparing to set a high asking price for the midfielder, who has become their most valuable asset.
Rangers are understood to be exploring potential replacements, looking at players like Jens Hjerto-Dahl and Vanja Duagojevic. Raskin has been linked with Serie A clubs Atalanta and Bologna, as well as several English Premier League teams including Tottenham and Hull City. A potential transfer fee could surpass the club record of £20 million received for Calvin Bassey, given Raskin's current contract runs until 2028.