Kevin De Bruyne: 'Too early' for Belgium future decision - ESPN

DÜSSELDORF, Germany — Kevin De Bruyne said it's too early to consider his future in international football after Belgium lost 1-0 to France in the round of 16 at Euro 2024 on Monday.

Jan Vertonghen's 85th-minute own goal was the difference between the two nations at the Arena Düsseldorf as De Bruyne saw another chance to win a major tournament with Belgium disappear.

De Bruyne, 33, was part of the Red Devils side which finished third at the World Cup in 2018, but they have failed to make the semifinal at a major tournament since then.

«It's too early to answer,» De Bruyne told reporters when asked whether the France defeat could spell the end of his international career. «Let me process this loss. It's a been a very long season, I need to rest my body. I will make my decision after the summer.»

De Bruyne, who made his Belgium debut in 2010 and has over 100 caps for his country, remains an integral part of coach Domenico Tedesco's plans ahead of the World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada in 2026.

«He knows how important he is,» Tedesco said in a news conference about the Manchester City midfielder's comments. «He doesn't need my opinion about it because he knows. Immediately after the game, it's difficult to ask these kind of questions to Kevin.»

Belgium sat deep against France but had chances on the break, with goalkeeper Mike Maignan making good saves from Romelu Lukaku and De Bruyne before Les Bleus clinched the win late on.

«It is a pity,» De Bruyne added. «We had a plan and we executed that plan pretty well. We knew that with France's qualities they would have more of the ball, but I think we defended well as a team and didn't concede many chances apart from a few long shots.

»We had our moments, although