Hazard, Kompany, De Bruyne: A look at Belgium's all time greatest footballers

Despite its small size, Belgium has produced a lot of great football players throughout its history. These are the 25 best Belgian players, ordered randomly.

Undeniably one of Belgium's best football players ever, if not the best. De Bruyne came through the youth ranks of KRC Genk, before going to Chelsea. After a successful loan spell at Werder Bremen, the Belgian was sold to VfL Wolfsburg. De Bruyne continued to impress in Germany and convinced Manchester City to break the bank with a £54 millon, while also demonstrating his class for Belgium.

Another great Belgian talent. Eden Hazard made a name for himself at French side OSC Lille, before he was sold to Premier League giant Chelsea. Hazard won two Premier League titles and two Europa Leagues, and also excelled for Belgium on many occasions. In 2019, he was signed by Real Madrid, but his Spanish career never really took off.

Vincent Kompany is arguably Belgium's best defender ever. The classy Belgian impressed at RSC Anderlecht and Manchester City, winning several championships. He retired in 2020, having played 89 games for the Red Devils.

A pure talent, who came through the youth ranks of RSC Anderlecht. Scifo also played for Inter Milan, Girondins Bordeaux, AJ Auxerre, Torino, AS Monaco and Sporting Charleroi.

A true Club Brugge legend, Jan Ceulemans never played for another side, despite getting an offer from AC Milan. The striker established himself domestically and internationally, scoring 22 goals in 96 games for the Belgian national team.

Showing his huge potential as a youngster at RSC Anderlecht, Romelu Lukaku would go on to become Belgium's all-time top goalscorer. At club level, he played for top sides such as Chelsea, Manchester United and Inter Milan.

One of the best goalkeepers of his generation, a young Thibaut Courtois made a name for himself at KRC Genk. Chelsea saw his potential and pulled the trigger in 2011. After a loan spell at Atlético Madrid, two Premier League titles with The Blues and a bronze World Cup medal with Belgium, he signed a contract at Real Madrid.

Widely considered one of the most gracious Belgians to have ever played the beautiful game, Luc Nilis is a legend at Dutch side PSV. He scored a whopping total of 133 goals for the club from the city of Eindhoven. In 2000, he was signed by Premier League side Aston Villa, where his career came to a dramatic end after he broke his leg.

Belgium has had some truly prolific strikers throughout it history, and Erwin Vandenbergh is surely one of them. Vandenbergh played for Belgian top side RSC Anderlecht, amongst other clubs, with whom he won the UEFA Cup in 1983.

Rik Coppens was one of the best Belgian football players of the 50s and the 60s. A legend at Beerschot AC, he sparked interest of the likes of FC Barcelona and Inter Milan, but he'd never play outside of Belgium. Coppens crowned himself top goalscorer of the Belgian League on two occasions and also won the Golden Shoe.

One of the best Belgian defenders ever, Eric Gerets played for Standard Luik, AC Milan, MVV and PSV Eindhoven. Nicknamed The Lion of Flanders, the former right back lifted a European Cup and was a runner-up with the Red Devils at the 1980 European Championship. After his footballing career, Gerets became a successful coach, training the likes of Club Brugge, PSV, Olympique Marseille and Galatasaray.

A former star of the Belgian football leauge, Paul Van Himst became famous at RSC Anderlecht, where he scored a whopping 309 goals. Van Himst was so good they even called him 'The White Pelé'.

Marc Wilmots played for several Belgian teams before he was signed by Schalke 04. Thanks to his playing style, he earned himself the nickname 'Das Kampfschwein' in Germany ('The War Pig'). Wilmots was also a key figure for the Belgian national team, scoring 28 goals for his country.

One of the strongest Belgian defenders ever, Philippe Albert impressed at KV Mechelen and RSC Anderlecht before being signed by Newcastle United in 1994. Albert played 137 games for the Magpies, scoring a legendary chip in a 5-0 win over Manchester United.

Nicknamed 'The Little General', Wilfried Van Moer was one of the best Belgian midfielders of his generation. Impressive at club and international level, he celebrated his biggest successes at Standard Luik, winning three consecutive Belgian championships.

A brilliant goalkeeper, Jean-Marie Pfaff excelled for Belgian side SK Beveren, winning the cup and the championship. He later went on to play for European gigant Bayern Munich, winning three championships and one DFB-Pokal. Pfaff also stood out in the Belgian national team, reaching the final of the 1980 Euro's and the semi-finals of the 1986 World Cup.

Coming through the youth ranks of Beerschot and Ajax, Jan Vertonghen made his debut for the club from Amsterdam on August 23, 2006. Later in his career, he would go on to play for Tottenham and Benfica, before joining RSC Anderlecht in 2022. Vertonghen also left his mark on the Belgian national team, being the most capped player of his country.

Just like Jan Vertonghen, Thomas Vermaelen played for Ajax. A no-nonsense defender, he was signed by Arsenal in 2009, where he became one of the leaders of the team. After spells at FC Barcelona and AS Roma, Vermaelen ended his career in Japan at Vissel Kobe.

One of the best left-footed players in Belgian football history, Ludo Coeck made a name for himself at RSC Anderlecht. He earned himself a move to Internazionale, but due to injuries, the graceful midfielder was never able to force a breakthrough in Italy. After an unsuccessful loan spell at Ascoli, 30-year old Coeck tragically died due to injuries sustained in a car accident in Belgium.

Displaying an incredible left foot, Frank Vercauteren was one of the best players of RSC Anderlecht in the late 70s en 80s. He helped the club win two UEFA Cup Winners' Cups and one UEFA Cup. Showing his class regularly for the Belgian Red Devils too, Vercauteren went on to play for FC Nantes, before retiring at RWDM Molenbeek and building a rather successful coaching career.

Known for wearing glasses while playing, Jeff Jurion was one of the stars of RSC Anderlecht in the 50s and 60s. A two time Belgian Golden Shoe winner, he was nicknamed 'Mister Europe' after eliminating Real Madrid in Europe.

A Club Brugge icon, there is no one who played more games for the Belgian top side than Franky Van der Elst. Always solid and hard-working in midfield, Van der Elst led Brugge to five Belgian Championships and four cup wins. Individually, he won the Golden Shoe on two occasions (1990 and 1996).

Another Club Brugge legend, Raoul Lambert was one of the protagonists of an extremely successful period for the club in the 60s and the 70s. In 1978 Brugge reached the final of The European Cup, but Lambert couldn't play due to an injury. Liverpool won thanks to a goal of Kenny Dalglish. Later on, Lambert would be named best Club Brugge player ever by the fans of the club.

Marc Degryse came through the youth ranks of Club Brugge, winning the 1987-88 championship with the blue and black side. In 1989, he successfully tried his luck at big rival RSC Anderlecht, before joining Sheffield Wednesday, PSV, AA Gent and Germinal Beerschot. An elegant and technically gifted player, Degryse also played 63 games for the Red Devils.

Last but not least, Michel Preud'homme also deserves a spot on this list. The former Benfica, Standard and KV Mechelen goalkeeper made a name for himself on the 1994 World Cup, where he was named the best keeper of the tournament. After his footballing career, he became a successful coach, winning trophies with Club Brugge, Standard, AA Gent and FC Twente.