Belgian Maxim De Cuyper says this group ‘cannot be compared’ with the golden generation | OneFootball

Brighton and Belgium left-back Maxim De Cuyper says this current crop of Belgian players ‘cannot’ be compared with the country’s golden generation.

The golden generation was widely thought to be between 2012-2022, with the peak being the World Cup in 2018 when Belgium reached the semi-finals before losing to France, who went on to win the competition.

Belgium beat Brazil in the quarter-finals of that competition, and their squad included the likes of Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne, Vincent Kompany, Thibaut Courtois and Romelu Lukaku, all playing at the peak of their powers.

Now Hazard has retired, De Bruyne is on his last legs and Lukaku isn’t anywhere near as prolific. Asked about this group in relation to the golden generation, De Cuyper said: “No, it’s just I think you cannot compare it because the golden generation also needed some years to get to that level together.

“Just like us, we are a pretty new team, quite young players. So, we also need the time to get to our highest level together. But if we’re going to stick together, we can be very successful.”

De Cuyper plays on the same side of the pitch as Jeremy Doku, who will be critical if Belgium are to do well at this tournament.

The Manchester City winger has been one of the best wingers in the world this season. He registered five goals and five assists in the league, but it is his trickiness and directness that most defenders struggle to cope with.

On Doku, De Cuyper said: “For me, it makes life more easy if you play with a winger like this! I’m even playing better when he’s playing in front of me. 

“I think we play some games now already together and I think we’re growing every time.”

Asked if Doku is one of the best wingers in the world, De Cuyper replied: “I think so, yeah. Obviously. If you are playing on that level in the highest league in the world, in one of the best teams and you’re performing like this, then you can say so, yeah.”