BRUSSELS: Veteran Belgian defender Jan Vertonghen, whose own goal knocked Belgium out of Euro 2024, announced his international retirement on Friday.
The 37-year-old former Tottenham player holds the Belgian record with 157 caps. He made his debut against Portugal in Euro qualifying in July 2007 and played his last match in the 1-0 loss to France in the Euros round of 16 on July 1.
“First one, last one. Thx for all the memories. I lived my dream,” Vertonghen wrote on Instagram alongside photos of him lining up before his first cap and last caps.
Euro 2024 in Germany was Vertonghen’s sixth major tournament. He scored 10 international goals.
“Thanks for everything, Jan!” wrote the Belgium Football Association on their website, adding on Instagram: “From the training ground to the pitch, you showed us what it was to be a true Red Devil. We’ll miss you, Jan.”
Vertonghen started his club career with Ajax, spent eight years at Spurs and moved to Benfica before returning to Belgium to play for Anderlecht last season.
Vertonghen quits international football as most-capped Belgian
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Vertonghen quits international football as most-capped Belgian
- The 37-year-old former Tottenham player holds the Belgian record with 157 caps
- He made his debut against Portugal in Euro qualifying in July 2007
Al-Hilal win to cut Al-Nassr’s lead at the top to two points
- Reigning champions Al- Ittihad beat Neom 3-1 to end the year on a high after difficult title defence
- Leaders dropped their first points of the season on Tuesday after a 2-2 draw against Ettifaq
RIYADH: Al-Hilal have closed the gap on leaders Al-Nassr lead at the top of the Saudi Pro League table to two points after beating Al-Khollod 3-1 on New Year’s Eve.
The win saw Al-Hilal leapfrog Al-Taawoun into second place they now have 29 points from 11 matches, just two behind Al-Nassr, who on Tuesday dropped their first points of the season after a 2-2 draw with Ettifaq.
Al-Hilal took the lead through Sergei Milinkovic-Savic after 45 minutes there was still enough stoppage time for Ramiro Enrique to equalize form the penalty spot. Two second half goals from Theo Hernandez secured a vital three points for Al-Hila.
Earlier in the day reigning SPL champions Al-Itttihad beat hosts Neom 3-1 to go fifth in the table and end the year on n relative high after a difficult defence of their title so far in this campaign.
Roger Fernandes opened the scoring on 14 minutes from Steven Bergwijn’s assist, but Said Benrahma equalized 13 minutes later for teams to go into the break on equal terms.
Second half goals by Bergwijn and Ahmed Al-Ghamdi secured a morale-boosting win for Al-Ittihad.
In Wednesday’s other match, Al-Qadsiah beat hosts Al-Shabab 3-2 to stay fifth in the table.
