The former Tottenham star is announcing his international retirement following Euro 2024 exit

Former Tottenham Hotspur defender Jan Vertonghen has announced his retirement from international football following Belgium’s exit from Euro 2024.

The 37-year-old – who has played for Benfica and, now, Anderlecht since leaving Spurs in 2020 – did not feature in the Red Devils’ opening group game against Slovakia, which ended in a disappointing 1-0 defeat. .

But Vertonghen was reinstated and played the full 90 minutes in Belgium’s next three games as they beat Romania 2-0 and drew 0-0 with Ukraine to close out the groups, before exiting Euro 2024 in the Last 16. 1-0.

After that defeat, Vertonghen called time on an international career that has spanned 17 years and 157 games, the highlight of which was helping Belgium finish third at the 2018 World Cup.

“Thank you for all the memories, I’ve lived my dream!” Vertonghen posted on his Instagram account.

Belgium says goodbye to the true ‘Red Devil’

Even in this final period of his career, Vertonghen will be difficult for Belgium to replace, especially with a lot of their ‘Golden Generation’ who tasted success in 2018 gone.

A new crop of talent must be found by Belgium, who will build their future on players like Jeremy Doku, Amadou Onana and Lois Openda.

“From the training ground to the pitch, he has shown us what it means to be a true Red Devil,” the Belgian FA wrote on social media. “We will miss you, Jan!