Jérémy Doku’s Case Is Costing Belgium

It is true that many have been saying for some time that Jérémy Doku is Belgium’s greatest individual weapon. The football he plays on the left wing for Manchester City has captivated audiences around the world. Towards the end of the season, he became one of his team’s most important players, and it was his goal against Everton that kept Manchester City’s Premier League title hopes alive. Doku is a player with whom Pep Guardiola has invested considerable time and effort, developing him into a far better footballer.

Then the World Cup arrives. And what happens?

This generation of Belgium team is almost done, and they mostly count on Doku, who is the best player in the team.

Belgium entered this tournament at a disadvantage. The generation led by Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku is no longer in its prime, and Belgium no longer looks like a genuine contender to win the competition.

For that very reason, Doku was expected to be the driving force of the team, the player who would carry Belgium’s attacking threat from the left flank.

Doku’s disappearance. Belgium has one point in the group.

Instead, Doku missed the second match. Reports emerged suggesting that he was dealing with health issues, indicating a viral illness and a respiratory infection; rumours are spreading.

We sincerely hope that nothing serious is wrong, that he is in good health and that he does not have a respiratory infection.

Yet a question inevitably arises. How many young footballers, whether from his generation, younger, or even older, would give absolutely everything to represent their country at a World Cup? How many would fully appreciate such an opportunity?

Belgium has found a problem that is bothering them, and that is the mentality of key players.

It is difficult to understand the absence of Belgium’s star winger at the very moment when his national team needs him most. What greater motivation can there be than playing in a World Cup for Belgium? His teammates spent ninety minutes fighting.

They defended, ran, sacrificed themselves, and exhausted every ounce of energy trying to keep Belgium competitive, while their most talented attacking player was once again unavailable.

Jérémy Doku’s religious status does not interest us. He is insisting on it constantly.

Whether Jérémy Doku is a deeply religious man or not is of little relevance to us, although he regularly expresses his spirituality by pointing towards the sky after scoring goals. However, it is entirely fair to ask a simple question: how can the principles he publicly embraces allow him to be absent from his team at its moment of greatest need and not give everything he has when Belgium expect him to lead the side?

Kevin De Bruyne gave everything on the pitch.

Yesterday, we watched Kevin De Bruyne take responsibility in midfield, constantly demanding the ball and trying to drive the team forward. We saw players who fought, worked, and displayed character.

That is precisely why the lack of contribution from Doku leaves such a bitter impression.

Belgium have possessed talent for years. They have had outstanding footballers and a generation capable of achieving great things. But national teams are not built on talent alone. They are built on character, responsibility, and a willingness to sacrifice for the collective cause.

Doku has been fortunate enough to work under Guardiola, a coach who helped shape him into the player he is today. As a result, a higher level of responsibility towards the national team was expected from him. Instead of leadership and determination, Belgium found themselves without their most dangerous winger at the very moment they needed him most.

He gave up fighting with the ball and lost commitment to the fans.

His teammates fought for every ball. They gave everything they had. Belgium’s supporters expected the same commitment from the man who was supposed to be the face of this generation. That is why questions about Doku’s commitment to the national team will remain unanswered until Belgium receive a response where it matters most: on the pitch.

Manchester City will be paying the hardest price in the most important fixtures because of Jeremy Doku.