These are the 13 most promising Belgians in international football

Belgium has long been a cradle for football talent, and the next generation is already making waves on the international stage. From exciting attackers to rock-solid defenders, these 13 rising stars are already turning heads across Europe and will be sure to dominate the headlines in coming years. Get to know them now – before the whole world catches on!

Malick Fofana

As soon as he turned 15, Anderlecht, Club Bruges, and even Ajax were keen to sign left winger Fofana. He chose to mature at KAA Gent, his club since 2014. The wait paid off: as of January 2024, he’s rampaging the left flank for Olympique Lyon in the Ligue 1. With his quality and international experience (U15 to U23), it won’t be long before his first true international cap.

Jorthy Mokio

At just 16, central defender Mokio is already a force to be reckoned with in the Ajax defense. Like Fofana before him, he got his first top-rank experience at KAA Gent. It was enough to earn him interest from famed Dutch Eredivisie club Ajax, who managed to sign him over the summer mercato. He’s also represented Belgium internationally; most recently with a first U21 appearance, in which he scored the 0-3 against Kazakhstan. A true cap should be around the corner.

Mika Godts

Here we have another promising young Belgian talent that found a home at Ajax. A versatile left winger, he’s drawn comparisons with Eden Hazard. Talk about big shoes to fill! In his youth career, he’s played for KRC Genk and Anderlecht, as well as internationally for Belgium’s U15, U17 and U19. A call-up for the highest international level should come soon.

Julien Duranville

This left winger is still just 18, but already employed by Bundesliga giant Borussia Dortmund. Duranville is an exponent of Anderlecht’s youth training center, and English newspaper The Guardian praised him as one of the best players born in 2006. Throw in solid international experience with the Belgian U16, U19 and U21, and you know he’s the real deal. Just look at how he handled his first two caps at the highest international level: what a sensation!

Stanis Idumbo

Though born in France, 19 year old Idumbo has notched over 20 international caps at the U15, U17, U18 and U19 levels. He was even assigned the role of captain for the U18 squad. Currently, he’s playing as an offensive midfielder for Spanish La Liga side Sevilla, after receiving basic training at Club Bruges, KAA Gent, and Ajax, where he was hailed as a true prodigy. A bright international future for Belgium is obvious.

Joseph Nonge

Central midfielder Nonge (19) moved from Anderlecht’s famous youth program straight to Serie A powerhouse Juventus. For 2 seasons, he matured while playing for Juventus Next Gen in the Serie C, Italy’s third football tier. In 2024, he was briefly integrated into Juve’s first squad. More recently, he's been transferred to France's Ligue 2 side Troyes, a club in the Manchester City Group, which could be a promising sign. His international level for Belgian has been modest, but we haven’t seen the last of him!

Ayanda Sishuba

19 year old offensive midfielder Sishuba started playing football after joining his father at Mouscron in 2013. Soon, he proved so promising that the family moved to Lille for its football academy. Formerly playing for Ligue 1 side Lens, he's recently moved up to Serie A side Hellas Verona. Despite limited experience at the U17 and U18 international levels, he’s expected to become a full Belgian international at some point.

Vincent Burlet

For the moment, 18 year old defender Burlet is fighting for the colors of Le Mans FC, on loan from Lille's Championnat National 3 tier B-team. A top-tier squad can’t be far off for the young Belgian talent, though. He’s already played for the Belgian U19. With the breakthrough performance that he has in him, he’ll be impossible to avoid as the defensive force that the Belgian international selection needs.

Arthur Vermeeren

Central midfielder Vermeeren no longer needs an introduction, but when you have a young Belgian of this level, you can’t talk about him enough, wouldn’t you agree? After showing incredible skill and maturity at Antwerp and the Belgian international team, he was hand-picked by Atlético Madrid. He’s currently on loan from Atlético to Bundesliga side RB Leipzig.

Arne Engels

Engels (20) was trained as a defensive midfielder at Club Bruges’s academy, and at age 17, he went pro for Club NXT in 2020. In 2023, he signed a contract for 4.5 years at Bundesliga team Augsburg. Recently, though, he's left Germany for Celtic Glasgow in Scotland, where he'll play Champions League football against his alma mater Club Bruges. With matches for the Belgian U15, U16, U19 and U21, he knows what it is to perform at the international level. He’s just a stellar season away from being impossible to ignore.

Ethan Butera

Here we find one more Belgian football talent on the rise at Ajax. Joining Mokio and Godts at Ajax, 18 year old Butera is set to mature as a central defender of B-team Jong Ajax. After 7 years at Anderlecht’s youth academy, he’s fully prepared to take on any football challenge. Internationally, he’s captained the U16, and continued his fine work for the U17.

Madi Monamay

18 year old Monamay has been thoroughly educated at KRC Genk, among other football academies. After a short spell without any Bundesliga appearances at Bayer Leverkusen, the central defender signed on to Jong PSV Eindhoven in 2024. Internationally, his performances have led him to captain the U18 squad. It won’t be long before he makes his devilish debut!

Samuel Mbangula

The best for last? Samuel Mbangula, educated as a left winger at Club Bruges and then Anderlecht, is only 20, but he’s already flying high at Italian powerhouse Juventus. In fact, he’s the first Belgian to score for the Old Dame, and the youngest Belgian Serie A goal scorer. Since 2019, he’s represented Belgium as a youth international. A glorious career awaits him!