Who are the best Belgian footballers of all time?
Belgium, a country renowned for its exquisite chocolate, picturesque landscapes, and rich cultural heritage, has also given the world an extraordinary gift on the soccer field.
Nestled in the heart of Europe, this small nation has produced a handful of exceptional football talents that have left solid footprints on the beautiful game.
From formidable strikers who struck fear into the hearts of defenders to skillful midfield maestros and resolute defenders, Belgium’s contribution to the world of soccer is nothing short of extraordinary, captivating audiences with their skill, finesse, and sheer determination.
Today, we take a look into the careers of 10 of the greatest Belgian soccer players of all time, highlighting their achievements and contributions to the game.
Best Belgian Footballers Of All Time
From the early pioneers who paved the way for Belgian football’s rise to prominence to the modern-day maestros who continue to enthrall audiences.
We will roam through the ages, looking at the evolution of Belgian football through the eyes of its most celebrated stars.
1. Paul Van Himst
Paul Van Himst is considered one of the best football players ever from Belgium.
He was known for his incredible skills and ability to score goals, and he became famous worldwide in the 1960s.
Van Himst had a fantastic career at Anderlecht, winning eight league titles and receiving four Belgian Golden Shoe awards. He holds the record for the most goals scored by a Belgian player, with 30 goals in 81 appearances for the national team.
During his 18-year career, with 14 years playing for the national team, Van Himst achieved numerous records.
He played most of his club football at Anderlecht, scoring an impressive 233 goals in 457 matches and winning eight league titles.
On the international stage, Van Himst represented Belgium in 81 matches and played in two major tournaments, including the 1970 World Cup. Even though he is now 76 years old, his skills are still remembered by many fans.
In 2003, he was recognized as Belgium’s best player of the past 50 years. He scored 30 goals in 81 games for the national team between 1960 and 1974.
Van Himst even had a role in the famous 1980 film “Escape to Victory” by Michel Fileu.
He won four Belgian Player of the Year awards, a record that still stands. In 2003, both UEFA and the Belgian FA named him the best player in the world over the past 50 years.
The International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) ranked him as the 39th greatest player of the 20th century, placing him ahead of other notable players like Kenny Dalglish, Roberto Baggio, and Tom Finney.
4. Jan Ceulemans
As an integral part of Belgium’s “golden generation,” Jan Ceulemans captivated audiences with his powerful presence on the pitch.
Ceulemans had amazing skills, incredible stamina, and a strong physical presence, which made him excel in different attacking positions, mostly as an attacking midfielder or second striker.
He spent most of his career at Club Brugge, where he achieved a lot of success with the team and received individual awards.
He started playing football at Lierse S.K. but spent 13 remarkable years at Brugge, even turning down an offer from AC Milan to stay loyal to his club.
He holds the record for the most international appearances for Belgium and was instrumental in their success in the 1980s.
He played a big part in taking the team to the final of the 1980 European Championships and led them to an impressive fourth-place finish in the World Cup in 1986, their best performance ever. He also played in the 1982 World Cup.
At the club level, Ceulemans is most associated with Club Brugge, where he played over 400 matches, even though he had the opportunity to join the famous Italian team, AC Milan.
He was named the Belgian Player of the Year and Belgian Professional Footballer of the Year three times, proving that he is a football legend in Belgium. He was also selected for the Euro 1980 and 1986 World Cup Dream Teams.
But his greatest achievement came in the 1986 FIFA World Cup when he played an outstanding role in helping Belgium reach the semi-finals.
He scored three impressive goals, including a fantastic diving header against Spain in the quarterfinals.
3. Jean-Marie Pfaff
Jean-Marie Pfaff is widely regarded as one of Belgium’s greatest goalkeepers. Known for his agility, shot-stopping ability, and commanding presence.
He was a crucial member of Belgium’s successful football team and was highly regarded as a goalkeeper for the Red Devils.
Throughout his 11-year international career, he played in four major tournaments, helping Belgium finish second in the 1980 European Championships and achieve their best-ever fourth-place finish in the 1986 World Cup.
At the club level, he had even greater success, winning a league title and a cup with Beveren before joining the famous German club Bayern Munich.
During his time there, he won two Bundesliga titles and three DFB-Pokal crowns. After short stints with Lierse and Trabzonspor, he left a lasting impact on the world of football.
He win individual honors, including being named the Belgian Player of the Year in 1978 and being recognized as the IFFHS World’s Best Goalkeeper in 1987.
He was also part of the prestigious 1986 World Cup Dream Team.
The IFFHS ranked him as the 10th-best goalkeeper of the 20th century. Pele, in celebration of FIFA’s 100th anniversary, included him in his list of the 125 greatest living footballers, which was a great honor.
4. Jef Mermans
Renowned for his exceptional goal-scoring ability and aerial prowess, Mermans played a significant role in Anderlecht’s domestic success.
He faced the unfortunate impact of World War II during the early stages of his career. However, this did not deter Anderlecht from making an unprecedented move to acquire the striker from Tubantia.
The result was a groundbreaking transfer fee of 125,000 Belgian francs, marking the start of a remarkable journey.
Mermans went on to etch his name in the record books by scoring an impressive 338 goals in 384 matches for Anderlecht. His prolific scoring prowess propelled the team to seven Belgian championships, and he claimed the title of top scorer in the competition on three occasions.
Such was his form and talent that esteemed clubs like Roma, Torino, Lazio, Atletico Madrid, and even the illustrious Real Madrid expressed interest in acquiring his services.
As an international player, Mermans represented Belgium for a span of 11 years.
He remains the country’s fourth-highest goal scorer of all time, having netted 27 goals. Impressively, he also played in the 1954 World Cup, where he played a major role in Belgium’s memorable 4-4 draw against England.
5. Wilfried van Moer
He is considered one of the greatest Belgian soccer players ever.
He proved his skills in the 1970 and 1982 World Cups, as well as the Euro 1980, where Belgium finished as runners-up. Despite being 35 years old, he played a crucial role in Belgium reaching the semifinals of the Euro 1972.
He came fourth in the voting for the Ballon d’Or, equalling the best-ever showing from a Belgian.
Besides his international success, Van Moer had a highly successful club career.
He played for clubs like Beveren, Royal Antwerp, and Standard Liege. With Standard Liege, he won three Belgian league titles. His exceptional performances led to him being ranked as the fourth-best European Player of the Year in 1980.
Van Moer’s amazing skills and energetic style of play helped him earn 57 caps and win three Belgian titles during his time at Standard Liege.
Unfortunately, he suffered a broken leg that kept him out of the national team for nearly five years. However, when he returned, he quickly became the team’s most valuable player again. He continued to perform at a high level even in his 30s.
6. Jef Jurion
Armand ‘Jef’ Jurion became famous for wearing glasses during matches.
He had a significant impact on Belgian football when the sport was still developing at both the club and international levels.
Jurion’s team, Anderlecht, had faced difficulties in the European Cup, which was relatively new at the time. But in the 1962-63 season, something remarkable happened.
Jurion scored a crucial late goal that led to the elimination of the powerful Real Madrid in the first round. He had also scored in the first-leg 3-3 draw at the Bernabeu.
This memorable goal earned Jurion the nickname ‘Mister Europe’.
However, his talent was already recognized in Belgium. During his 15-year career with Anderlecht, Jurion won an impressive eight league titles and one cup.
He was also named Belgian Player of the Year twice, which showed his exceptional skill and contribution to Belgian football.
7. Michel Preud’homme
Michel Preud’homme was one of the best goalkeepers of his time and gained recognition as one of the top players in the world. He played for three famous clubs during his impressive 22-year career and made a lasting impact on football.
Preud’homme played almost 200 games for each of his clubs, which is quite impressive.
He won many prestigious awards during this time, including three league titles, three domestic cups, and even the prestigious Cup Winners’ Cup.
In the 1990 World Cup, while representing Belgium, Preud’homme showed off his skills on the biggest international stage.
But it was in the next tournament, four years later, that he really shined. His outstanding performances led him to receive the first-ever Yashin Award, which goes to the best goalkeeper in the competition.
In 1994, he had a very special year as he received more recognition for his skills.
He was named UEFA’s Goalkeeper of the Year and was also crowned the IFFHS World’s Best Goalkeeper. These honors were a clear indication of his consistent excellence and confirmed that he was one of the best players in the sport.
Before achieving these awards, he had already won two Player of the Year awards in Belgium, which further solidified his status among the top footballers.
8. Vincent Kompany
Vincent Kompany is a true legend of Belgian football and an inspiring leader.
His place in this position is without doubt, because of his strong physical presence and amazing defensive skills. People widely agree that he is the best Belgian football player ever and one of the best center-backs of his time.
He exhibited tremendous potential from a young age, earning recognition as the Belgian Player of the Year and making his national team debut while still in his teenage years.
Throughout his club career, he showed his talents at Anderlecht and Hamburger SV before embarking on a transformative journey with Manchester City in 2008.
His early success was evident when he won the Belgian Golden Shoe as a teenager, contributing significantly to Anderlecht’s triumph in two Belgian Pro League titles.
In the 2011-2012 season, he assumed the captaincy of Manchester City, reaching the pinnacle of his career.
Under his leadership, the club clinched the Premier League title, marking their first top-flight championship in 44 years. As a prominent figure in Belgium’s new golden generation of football.
A central defender known for his strength, tactical awareness, and ability to initiate attacks from the back, his exceptional leadership qualities, both on and off the pitch, earned him the respect of teammates and fans alike.
Kompany’s contributions to the Belgian national team were also instrumental in their success, including their third-place finish at the 2018 World Cup
9. Raymond Braine
In Belgium, he is considered a legend because he scored an amazing 141 goals in just 142 matches for Beerschot VAC. This incredible scoring ability made him the first Belgian professional player to join Sparta Prague.
At Sparta Prague, he kept scoring a lot of goals, adding 120 more in only 106 matches. He had a lot of success there, winning two league championships and the prestigious Mitropa Cup.
After his time at Sparta Prague, he returned to Beerschot and won two more league titles, adding to the four he had already won.
He also did well playing for the Belgian national team, scoring a total of 26 goals.
This puts him as the fifth-highest goal scorer in the country’s history. He even played in the 1938 World Cup. He turned down a big offer to become a citizen of Czechoslovakia because he wanted to stay loyal to Belgium.
His achievements were recognized globally by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS), which ranked him as the 64th best player of the 20th century.
This shows how much of an impact he made and how skilled he was on the field.
10. Romelu Lukaku
Lukaku has emerged as one of the most prolific strikers of his generation. His strength, speed, and clinical finishing make him a formidable opponent for any defense.
He was having a great season with his Belgian club Anderlecht, scoring a lot of goals in the league. In the same year, he scored two goals against Russia, which was his first contribution to the national team.
But it took a few more years for Lukaku to start scoring a lot for Belgium.
In the beginning, he only scored five goals in his first 26 matches. However, in 2014, things changed for Lukaku. He played big role in helping Belgium qualify for the 2014 World Cup by scoring two goals in an important 2-1 victory against Croatia in late 2013.
Although he didn’t score in the first two games in Brazil, his goal drought led to him being benched until the knockout stages.
The 2018 World Cup was Belgium’s best performance in the tournament, and it was also Lukaku’s best showing for the national team.
The talented striker played in every game and scored four goals, which was a big contribution to Belgium winning a bronze medal, and he finished second on the list of top scorers in the tournament.
Romelu Lukaku’s accomplishments for Belgium are truly exceptional.
He became their leading scorer at a young age, surpassing everyone else by a significant margin. However, it seems that sometimes his remarkable achievements don’t get the full recognition they deserve, even though he reached these milestones quickly.
11. Eric Gerets
He played a crucial role in Belgium’s successful era in the 1980s and was an important player for the national team. He retired as the third player with the most appearances in Belgian football history.
People affectionately called him ‘The Lion,’ and he played a big part in Belgium reaching the final of the 1980 European Championships.
He showed his talent and leadership. Six years later, he led the team to their best-ever finish in the World Cup.
He also contributed to Belgium’s memorable victory over the reigning world champions Argentina in the 1982 tournament. However, in 1990, they were eliminated by a spectacular late goal from David Platt, which was disappointing.
His club career was even more successful.
He played for Standard Liege for 12 years and won two league titles and a cup. After that, he played for AC Milan and MVV before joining PSV Eindhoven, where he achieved great things.
Over seven years, he won six league titles and three cups. He had the honor of captaining the team to victory in the European Cup in 1988, which is a significant accomplishment in the club’s history.
12. Kevin De Bruyne
De Bruyne is widely regarded as one of the best midfielders in the world. With exceptional vision, passing accuracy, and technical prowess, he consistently orchestrates the play from midfield.
He is an incredible player with extraordinary skills in football.
He started his career at Genk and then had a not-so-great time at Chelsea. However, when he played for Wolfsburg in Germany, he was named the Footballer of the Year. In 2015, he made a big move to Manchester City for a reported fee of £54 million.
De Bruyne is considered one of the greatest Belgian soccer players ever.
Since 2010, he has earned over 98 caps for Belgium. He played a very important role in helping Belgium reach the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup.
People admire his amazing passing accuracy, as he can make passes that other players wouldn’t even think of.
He also has incredible technique, which makes him a strong attacking player.
He is the driving force for the Belgian national team and is widely recognized for his immense talent and contributions to the sport.
13. Eden Hazard
Known for his agility, close control, and dribbling skills, Eden Hazard is a player who can change the course of a game with his individual brilliance.
Hazard began his football career in Belgium and then moved to Lille in France.
He quickly became an important player for Lille and won awards like the Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year. He helped Lille win the league and cup double in the 2010-11 season and was named Ligue 1 Player of the Year.
In 2012, Hazard joined Chelsea in England and had immediate success, winning the UEFA Europa League. He won more awards like the PFA Young Player of the Year and the FWA Footballer of the Year.
Hazard helped Chelsea win the Premier League and other trophies.
He also played for the Belgian national team and was their captain from 2015 to 2022. He played in major tournaments like the World Cup and the European Championship, helping Belgium reach the quarter-finals.
At the 2018 World Cup, Belgium finished in third place, and Hazard won the Silver Ball as the second-best player of the tournament.
In 2019, He moved to Real Madrid but faced injuries and a decline in performance. He left the club in 2023.
Throughout his career, Hazard established himself as one of the best players in the world.
14. Thibaut Courtois
Thibaut Courtois is widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers of his generation. Standing at an imposing height, Courtois possesses remarkable reflexes, shot-stopping ability, and excellent distribution skills.
In 2011, Courtois moved to Chelsea in a big transfer deal.
However, he went on loan to Atlético Madrid. It was during his time in Spain that he really showed his skills. He won important titles like La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Europa League.
He even played in the UEFA Champions League final. Courtois returned to Chelsea in 2014 and continued to have success, winning two Premier League titles and the EFL Cup.
In 2018, Real Madrid signed Courtois in a big deal, making him the most expensive goalkeeper in La Liga history. Since joining Real Madrid, he has won two La Liga titles and the famous Champions League trophy.
Courtois made his debut for the Belgian national team at 19 years old in 2011, becoming their youngest goalkeeper to play for the senior team.
He has played more than 100 matches for Belgium and is the seventh player with the most appearances. He has represented Belgium in five major tournaments, including the 2018 FIFA World Cup, where he won the Golden Glove award for the best goalkeeper of the tournament.
His excellent performances helped Belgium achieve their best-ever World Cup finish, securing third place.
15. Enzo Scifo
Vincenzo Scifo, born to Italian parents, showed great talent as a young player.
He scored an impressive 432 goals as a junior player, earning him the nickname ‘Little Pele’. In 1980, he joined Anderlecht, a well-known Belgian club, and made his debut in the Belgian league at the age of 18.
In 1984, he became a Belgian citizen and played for Belgium in the European Championships.
He gained recognition as a young talent in the 1980s and played a key role when Belgium reached the World Cup semi-finals in 1986. He then moved to Inter Milan but faced disappointment and transferred to Bordeaux.
At 23, he considered retiring but was given a chance by Auxerre’s manager, Guy Roux, and regained his form. In the 1990 World Cup, Scifo scored a memorable goal against Uruguay, but Belgium was eliminated by England in a heartbreaking match.
He also had successful spells with Torino and Monaco in Italy and then returned to Anderlecht.
He represented Belgium in the 1994 and 1998 World Cups but with less success. Scifo is one of only 14 players to have played in four World Cups. He retired from international football after the 1998 World Cup.
Other Greatest Belgian Soccer Players Of All Time
- Fernand Goyvaerts
- Herbert Wimmer
- Georges Grün
- Philippe Albert
- Jean Nicolay
- Jan Vertonghen
- Rik Coppens
- Luc Nilis
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