Het Nieuwsblad have revealed that Jan Vertonghen plans to retire from international football after the upcoming European championships in Germany. The 36-year-old Anderlecht defender has played over 150 matches for the Belgian national team and many expected him to follow the rest of the ‘Golden Generation’ in leaving the international scene following the sides poor Qatar 2022 World Cup.
By the time of the Euros, Vertonghen will be 37. However, his level for Anderlecht has remained high this season. The side are currently chasing a 35th title with Vertonghen as captain. The defender, who has played for the likes of Ajax, Tottenham and Benfica, made his international debut under Rene Vandereycken in 2007, aged just 20. The defenders debut came against Portugal during European Qualification for the 2008 EUROs. He has played 14 times at World Cup’s and eight EURO matches, scoring 10 goals for his country.
Vertonghen came through the Ajax academy before joining Tottenham in 2012. He spent almost a decade with the London club before joining Benfica in the summer of 2020. The experienced defender is currently in his second season with Anderlecht. His contract in Brussels expires at the end of the current season.
GBeNeFNÂ |Â Ben Jackson
