33·Legends
‹ All XIs
Belgium flag

Belgium

The thirty-three greatest. Build your eleven, then settle the duels.
The pitch 0 / 11

Drag a position anywhere and the label updates live. Tap a name to fill the open spot, tap ✕ to free a position.

The 330 on the pitch

The duels

Pick the greater legend. Every vote moves the people's ranking of Belgium.

The 33 of Belgium

Ranked by the almanac. Vote in the duels to build the people's version.

1 93 Kevin De Bruyne 123 caps · 38 goals · Pârteștii de Jos, K.R.C. Genk · national Player of the Year 2014Manchester City's midfield maestro, he dictates play with unparalleled vision and passing, a truly generational talent with a Champions League triumph to his name. CM
2 93 Thibaut Courtois 115 caps · Chelsea, Atlético Madrid · The Best FIFA award 2018The towering shot-stopper established himself as one of the world's best with Real Madrid, earning the Golden Glove at the 2018 World Cup and lifting the Champions League. GK2010s
3 91 Eden Hazard 126 caps · 33 goals · Lille OSC, Chelsea · national Player of the Year 2015A mesmeric dribbler, this diminutive winger consistently defied defenders while inspiring Belgium's golden generation to the 2018 World Cup semi-finals. LM2010s
4 90 Paul Van Himst 81 caps · 30 goals · R.S.C. Anderlecht, Racing White Daring MolenbeekAnderlecht's record goalscorer and a four-time Golden Shoe winner, this attacking midfielder was a true Belgian legend. CAM
5 JP 89 Jean-Marie Pfaff 64 caps · K.S.K. Beveren, FC Bayern MunichAn iconic presence between the sticks for Bayern Munich and Belgium, Pfaff’s charismatic leadership secured the 1982 World Cup semi-final for his nation. GK1980s
6 MP 89 Michel Preud’homme 58 caps · Standard Liège, KV MechelenThe technically gifted goalkeeper earned the IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper award in 1994, shining for Mechelen and Benfica during an illustrious career. GK1990s
7 89 Vincent Kompany 89 caps · R.S.C. Anderlecht, Hamburger SV · 2× national Player of the Year (2004–2005)The inspirational Manchester City captain, a Premier League icon, marshalled defences with his strength and leadership, driving his team to multiple league titles. CB
8 88 Enzo Scifo 84 caps · 18 goals · R.S.C. Anderlecht, AJ AuxerreBelgium's quintessential fantasista, he dazzled at the World Cup for Anderlecht, Inter, and Monaco with his exquisite skill and playmaking. CAM
9 88 Jan Ceulemans Lierse S.K., Club Brugge K.V.A bona fide Belgian icon of the 80s, this prolific attacking midfielder captained his country to the 1986 World Cup semi-finals with his powerful runs and crucial goals. CM1980s
10 88 Romelu Lukaku 132 caps · 93 goals · R.S.C. Anderlecht, Manchester UnitedBelgium's all-time leading scorer, this powerful striker terrorized defences across Europe, enjoying prolific spells at Everton and Inter. SS
11 EG 87 Eric Gerets 86 caps · Standard Liège, AC MilanA formidable right-back, "The Lion of Rekem" captained PSV to European Cup glory in 1988 and was a tenacious leader for the Belgian national team. RB1980s
12 FV 86 Franky Vercauteren 63 caps · 9 goals · R.S.C. Anderlecht, FC NantesBelgium knew him as the Little Prince, a small left-footed winger who spent twelve seasons on the Anderlecht flank and scored 93 goals in 367 games there between 1975 and 1987. He finished fourth with Belgium at the 1986 World Cup and won two European Cup Winners' Cups, the 1983 UEFA Cup and two European Super Cups with Anderlecht, along with four Belgian championships, two Belgian Cups and the 1983 Golden Shoe. LM1980s
13 85 Axel Witsel 136 caps · Standard Liège, FC Zenit Saint PetersburgThe composed deep-lying playmaker for Benfica, Zenit, Dortmund, and Atlético, embodied the quiet class of Belgium's 'Golden Generation'. CDM
14 DM 85 Dries Mertens 109 caps · 21 goals · AGOVV Apeldoorn, SSC NapoliNapoli's all-time record goalscorer, this versatile forward was a vital cog for club and country, unlocking defences with his intricate movement and clinical finishing. RM
15 EV 85 Erwin Vandenbergh 48 caps · 20 goals · Lierse S.K., R.S.C. AnderlechtA prolific poacher, this clinical striker consistently topped the scoring charts for Anderlecht and Lille throughout the 1980s. ST
16 FV 85 Franky Van der Elst 86 caps · Football Club Molenbeek Brussels Strombeek, Racing White Daring MolenbeekA Club Brugge legend and defensive all-rounder, this versatile player was a stalwart on the left flank, providing crucial balance for his side. LB
17 85 Jan Vertonghen 157 caps · AFC Ajax, Tottenham Hotspur · national Player of the Year 2012Belgium's most capped player, this towering left-sided defender was a cornerstone for both Ajax and Tottenham, known for his composed playmaking from the back. CB
18 LN 85 Luc Nilis 56 caps · 10 goals · K.R.C. Genk, R.S.C. AnderlechtA sublime second striker, he mesmerized defences with his elegant technique and pinpoint passing during his time at PSV and Anderlecht. SS
19 85 Raymond Braine 54 caps · 26 goals · K. Beerschot V.A.C., AC Sparta PragueBelgium's first continental superstar, this technically gifted attacker pioneered the path for his countrymen in Europe. CAM
20 85 Toby Alderweireld 127 caps · AFC Ajax, Tottenham HotspurA versatile and intelligent defender, Alderweireld was a cornerstone of Tottenham's defence and a vital part of Belgium's 'Golden Generation' at multiple major tournaments. RB
21 85 Wilfried Van Moer 57 caps · 9 goals · K.S.K. Beveren, Royal AntwerpA three-time winner of the Belgian Golden Shoe, this elegant midfielder was a classic Belgian schemer, exuding grace and control in the engine room. CM
22 BV 84 Bernard Voorhoof 61 caps · 30 goals · Lierse S.K., R.R.F.C. MontegnéeA prolific striker across three World Cups in the 1930s, his goalscoring feats established him as an early icon of Belgian football. ST
23 84 Marc Degryse 63 caps · 23 goals · Club Brugge K.V., R.S.C. AnderlechtWith a flair for the dramatic, this mobile striker was a cult hero at Club Brugge and Anderlecht, captivating fans with his unpredictable attacking play. ST
24 MW 84 Marc Wilmots 70 caps · 28 goals · KV Mechelen, Standard LiègeSchalke's box-to-box engine room, he was a dynamic leader through the midfield and a key figure for Belgium in the 90s. LM
25 MD 84 Mousa Dembélé 82 caps · 5 goals · AZ Alkmaar, FulhamThe Tottenham and Fulham powerhouse, with an extraordinary blend of technical prowess and physical dominance, glided effortlessly through midfield. CM
26 PA 84 Philippe Albert 41 caps · Royal Charleroi S.C., KV MechelenThe cultured Belgian libero became a Newcastle cult hero in the 90s, renowned for his surging runs and spectacular goals from defence. CB
27 83 Georges Grün 77 caps · R.S.C. Anderlecht, Parma Calcio 1913The reliable Anderlecht and Parma centre-back was a consistent performer for the Belgian national team, embodying composure and defensive solidity. CB
28 83 Joseph Mermans 56 caps · 27 goals · K. Tubantia Borgerhout V.K., R.S.C. AnderlechtA fearsome striker and talisman for Anderlecht, his incredible scoring rate cemented his legendary status at the club. ST
29 LS 83 Lorenzo Staelens 70 caps · K.V. Kortrijk, Club Brugge K.V.A formidable presence for Club Brugge and Anderlecht, this tenacious Belgian was a true defensive leader, anchoring his teams with unwavering grit. CB
30 83 Marouane Fellaini 87 caps · Everton, Manchester UnitedThe imposing midfielder with a unique physical presence, he battled for Everton and Manchester United, leaving his mark on major tournaments. CDM
31 83 Timmy Simons 93 caps · Club Brugge K.V., PSV EindhovenA natural leader and true captain for PSV and Club Brugge, this dependable midfielder was the epitome of a no-nonsense defensive anchor. CDM
32 82 Walter Meeuws 46 caps · Beerschot A.C., Club Brugge K.V.A key organiser in Belgium's defense during the 1980s, his leadership helped marshal the backline to success. CB
33 NC 81 Nico Claesen 36 caps · R.F.C. Seraing, Standard LiègeEmerging from Belgium's 80s generation, this left-sided talent offered attacking flexibility and vital squad depth. LB

About this XI

At the head of Belgium's pool stand Kevin De Bruyne, Thibaut Courtois and Eden Hazard. The 33 covers 3 goalkeepers, 10 defenders, 14 midfielders and 6 forwards, spanning the 1980s to the 2010s. Kevin De Bruyne leads the pool at 93 overall. Pick a formation, drag your eleven onto the pitch, then settle the duels below. Your votes reorder the people's ranking of these 33 in real time.

Left out, and why

A 33 is a set of decisions, and these are the players who lost their place in the last revision of Belgium's list. Every one of them has a case.

Disagree? That is the point. Settle it in the duels above.

Who is the greatest Belgium footballer of all time?
In the 33 Legends editorial ranking, Kevin De Bruyne leads Belgium with an overall rating of 93. The editorial top five: Kevin De Bruyne, Thibaut Courtois, Eden Hazard, Paul Van Himst, Jean-Marie Pfaff. The people's ranking on this page moves with every duel vote and can disagree.
How were these 33 Belgium players chosen?
The pool covers every position across Belgium's football history. Ratings weigh peak level, longevity, honours and historical standing, then the full methodology page explains the tiers. Fan votes in the duels build a second, independent ranking.
Which Belgium players reach the Immortal tier or higher?
None yet. Kevin De Bruyne leads the Belgium pool at 93, in the Mythic tier.
Can I build and share my own Belgium all-time XI?
Yes. Pick one of eight formations, drag any of the 33 onto the pitch, and export your lineup as a PNG. There is no account and no sign-up.
Keep going Albania · Austria · Belarus · Bosnia & Herzegovina · Bulgaria · Croatia · Legends of Europe