Joao Moutinho publicly disagrees with controversial Kevin de Bruyne statement

Joao Moutinho has underlined the importance of the UEFA Nations League after it was criticised by Kevin De Bruyne.

The two players will represent Portugal and Belgium respectively in the coming fortnight. It comes after a hectic season for the duo, who both ply their trade in the Premier League and are central to their club sides. Portugal are gearing up for a game against Spain in Seville on Thursday.

The Nations League is a relatively new tournament and was bought in to replace international friendlies, thus placing greater importance on games. Portugal came second in the inaugural competition, losing out to the Netherlands in the final back in 2019.

However Moutinho has emphasised the importance the squad place on the upcoming games. He said: “All the games we play here, and I speak for the group, we look at it with the same importance, whether it's a friendly, qualifying or the Nations League. It is an important competition that we have already won once and we want to reach the final four and try to win it again."

De Bruyne doesn't share that sentiment. Belgium reached the semi-finals in the 2021 edition, losing to Italy in a third place play-off. The playmaker will remain in action until mid June and needs to report for Manchester City pre-season in July, giving him and his family a month away from football.

The demands placed upon players is an ongoing conversation and De Bruyne has taken issue with the additional games at the end of the season, declaring the upcoming outings as "unimportant". The 30-year-old has already played 49 games for club and country so far this season but insists nothing will change to the schedule.

He said: "For me, the Nations League is unimportant. We have to play those matches, but