A big thank you to Dubai Golf CEO Chris May for hosting one of my senior buddies, Mark Mouland, says the Dubai Golden Visa holder
New Belgium captain Kevin De Bruyne said he never thought about quitting the national team even after his country flopped at last year's World Cup -- following which his predecessor Eden Hazard announced his international retirement.
The 31-year-old Manchester City kingpin was named as skipper by new coach Domenico Tedesco, who replaced Roberto Martinez after the highly rated Belgians were bundled out in the first round in Qatar last year.
Toby Alderweireld and back-up goalkeeper Simon Mignolet also quit international football since Qatar while regulars Dries Mertens and Axel Witsel have been dropped.
De Bruyne said he has found the first days under Tedesco and a new-look squad as "an introduction to new class mates at a new school".
"It's different, but I see a lot of energy. For many young players it's an opportunity to play and it's time for them to grab it too," he told reporters.
"It feels fresh, but it was still a shock. Half of the usual squad is no longer there. But the newcomers want their chance as we used to want our chances."
Asked whether he had thought about quitting after the World Cup, De Bruyne said: "I did not think about stopping, not even for a second, actually.”
On the captaincy, De Bruyne said he would follow the example set by Vincent Kompany, who was the Belgian skipper from 2010-2018, and be direct with his team mates.
ALSO READ:
A big thank you to Dubai Golf CEO Chris May for hosting one of my senior buddies, Mark Mouland, says the Dubai Golden Visa holder
The championship draws elite athletes from across the globe
World number one Sinner fought back from a set and break down to defeat 140th-ranked Mackenzie McDonald
The four-time F2 world champion is aiming for a repeat of his win at San Nazzaro last year
The 35-year-old son of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's home minister Amit Shah will be the youngest-ever ICC chairman when be begins his tenure on December 1
Participants in the tournament competed in volleyball, basketball and handball matches
JMC Sport's deep understanding of golf and industry connections could significantly support his career development
The tournament marks the climax of the PGA Tour season, where the top 30 players in the FedExCup standings compete for the title