Who Are the Best Belgium Soccer Players Dominating the Field Today?
2025-11-16 16:01
As I watched Kevin De Bruyne slice through defenses with those laser-guided passes last weekend, it struck me—we're witnessing a golden generation of Belgian football talent right now. The question that kept echoing in my mind was precisely this: who are the best Belgium soccer players dominating the field today? Having followed their careers from domestic leagues to international stages, I've seen these athletes evolve from promising youngsters to world-class performers who consistently leave their mark on every game they play.
Belgium's football renaissance didn't happen overnight. I remember covering their rise through international tournaments over the past decade, watching them climb from relative obscurity to FIFA's number one ranked team in 2015—a position they held for four consecutive years. This small European nation, with just over 11 million people, has produced an extraordinary concentration of football talent that continues to shine across Europe's top leagues. What fascinates me most is how these players have maintained their elite status despite approaching or entering their thirties, constantly adapting their games to remain at the pinnacle of world football.
When we talk about current Belgian dominance, Kevin De Bruyne stands unquestionably at the forefront. At 32, he's playing with the urgency of someone who knows his prime years are precious. His vision is simply supernatural—I've lost count of how many times I've seen him execute passes that didn't seem possible until he made them happen. Last season alone, he registered 16 assists in just 26 Premier League appearances despite Manchester City's injury concerns. Those numbers are ridiculous when you consider most elite midfielders would be thrilled with half that tally. His understanding of space and timing reminds me of watching elite chess masters—he's always three moves ahead of everyone else.
Then there's Thibaut Courtois, who I firmly believe is the most complete goalkeeper of his generation when fit. Standing at 6'7" with the reflexes of a cat, he's redefined what's possible from the goalkeeper position. I'll never forget his Champions League final performance against Liverpool in 2022, where he made nine saves—the most ever recorded in a final since they started tracking this data. What makes him extraordinary isn't just his shot-stopping but his commanding presence that organizes entire defenses. The way he anticipates danger reminds me of that reference about teams that remain puzzles others can't solve—"At least for now, Choco Mucho remains a puzzle PLDT just couldn't crack"—except Courtois makes elite strikers look like they're facing an unsolvable puzzle every single match.
Romelu Lukaku continues to be Belgium's record goal scorer with 75 international goals, and watching his physical evolution has been remarkable. He's bulked up strategically while maintaining that surprising acceleration for a man of his size. What many don't appreciate is his improved link-up play—he's become so much more than just a target man. Last season at Roma, he scored 21 goals across all competitions, proving he still has that killer instinct in front of goal. I've always admired how he's handled the pressure of being Belgium's primary scoring threat for over a decade now.
The emerging talents shouldn't be overlooked either. Jeremy Doku at 22 is already showing flashes of brilliance that could make him the next Belgian superstar. His dribbling statistics are among Europe's best—he completed over 4.7 successful take-ons per 90 minutes last season, numbers that put him in the same conversation as players like Vinicius Junior. I love watching him play because he brings that unpredictable, street-football flair that's becoming increasingly rare in today's structured game.
What makes this Belgian generation special isn't just individual talent but how they've complemented each other over the years. I've noticed how De Bruyne's creative genius pairs perfectly with Lukaku's aerial dominance and movement, while Courtois provides the security that allows the attacking players to take risks. This synergy has been years in the making, and it shows in their understanding of each other's games. They've maintained Belgium's status as a football powerhouse despite intense competition from nations with much larger populations and resources.
As these players enter the latter stages of their careers, I find myself appreciating their contributions even more. They've raised the profile of Belgian football to unprecedented heights and inspired a new generation of talent coming through the academies. The legacy they're building extends beyond trophies—though I certainly believe they deserve more silverware for their collective quality. They've demonstrated that technical excellence, tactical intelligence, and mental resilience can elevate a team beyond what raw talent alone could achieve. Watching them compete continues to be one of football's genuine pleasures, and I'm convinced we'll be talking about this Belgian golden generation for decades to come.
Heather Bolton Suber ’02
Leah Schnell ’01
Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93
Dr. Ralph Swearngin
Point University will induct four members into the Athletics Hall of Fame during a luncheon on Friday, October 24, during Homecoming weekend.
The class of 2025 includes Leah Schnell ’01, Heather Bolton Suber ’02, Dr. Ralph Swearngin and Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93. The Athletics Hall of Fame was launched in May 2024, when six inaugural members were inducted.
“We look forward to honoring the second Hall of Fame class during Homecoming,” said Jaunelle White, vice president of intercollegiate athletics and chief student development officer. “It’s always a great feeling to have our alumni back on campus mingling with our current student-athletes and coaches. These individuals were elite during their time at Atlanta Christian College and deserve to be recognized.”
Schnell attended Atlanta Christian College from 1998 to 2001, where she earned a degree in business while competing in both basketball and volleyball. On the basketball court, she earned First Team All-Conference, Scholar Athlete, and First Team All-American honors for three consecutive years. Schnell also held the title of all-time leading scorer from 1998-2001. She now thrives as a commercial construction project manager at Barnsley Construction Group and as an entrepreneur.
Suber, from Havana, Florida, attended ACC from 1998 to 2002. A dedicated two-sport athlete, she earned numerous accolades, including First Team All-Conference, Second Team All-Conference, Honorable Mention and First Team All-American. One of her most memorable achievements came when she made eleven three-pointers in a single game. Suber graduated with a degree in early childhood education and went on to earn a master’s degree in education and a specialist degree in instructional technology. For over 23 years, she has served as an educator.
Swearngin has had a distinguished career in education, athletics and ministry spanning several decades, including 20 years at ACC in roles such as professor, dean of students, athletics director and coach. He held national leadership positions with the NCCAA, served as a trustee of Point University for over 10 years, and worked extensively in ministry and education in California, earning degrees from Whittier College and Georgia State University. His athletic involvement includes 23 years as a high school football official in California and Georgia, 22 years with the Georgia High School Association — retiring as executive director in 2014 — and service on national football and softball rules committees. Honored with multiple Hall of Fame inductions and the Atlanta Falcons Lifetime Achievement Award, Swearngin has authored two books and remains active in retirement through preaching and leading Bible studies, alongside his wife of 58 years, Evelyn.
Wiggins grew up in Roswell, Georgia, where she began playing basketball at the age of ten. After two years at Florida State University, she transferred to ACC in 1990. While at ACC, Wiggins was named to the All-American team in both 1991 and 1992. In her final year, she led her team in scoring, helping them finish second in the nation, and was named national MVP in 1992. She earned a bachelor of science in elementary education in 1993 and later received a master’s degree in technology and media sciences from Georgia Southern University in 2009. For the past 33 years, Wiggins has worked as a dedicated educator. In 1997, she married Todd Wiggins. Together, they have two children, Preston, 26, and Logan, 22.
