Growing up in the FIFA video game era facilitates a unique relationship with the world of professional football. Lots of us have spent a large chunk of our lives doing pre-game formation settings and ‘managing’ our favourite teams for maximum in-game performance. When we see our favourite players representing their nations currently in Russia, we can’t help but think of their ‘FIFA’ statistics and the kind of techniques they might employ as a team. So the delicious question that arises from this sort of conditioning is: Which is the ‘strongest’ team in this World Cup?

There’s a clear distinction between the ‘strongest’ and the winners, because sport is played in real life and not inside machines or in our imaginations. However, our imaginations are the real reason we love sport and all the ways in which it delights and defeats us.

Belgium is a medium-sized nation of about 1.14 crore people, situated in western Europe. Gastronomically, it has been a producer of waffles, chocolate, beer and fried foods. Culturally it is incredibly diverse. Dutch, German and French are all major languages. This country is a true amalgamation of Europe; if there was a single country that could serve as a true snapshot of the continent, it would be Belgium. Another element of great pride for the Belgian people today is its football.

The current generation of Belgian footballers may very well be one of the great footballing generations of all time. The validity of this statement lies primarily in the fact that the current Belgian squad is made up of arguably the most crucial players in club football. Back to front, defence or attack, these players are the engines, finishers and brick walls for some of the most important club sides in the world. More importantly, they are all playing at their peak potential and have been for the past few seasons. The average age of the World Cup squad is 27.6 years. If we lined up the average ages of all the World Cup teams and stacked them from youngest to oldest, Belgium would be somewhere in the middle. And yet all of them have been playing and winning trophies with the elite clubs in Europe for the last four to five seasons. There is no other team in the World Cup that can boast of this specific quality.

There is always the threat and argument to be made about the Cristiano Ronaldos, the Messis and the Neymars who are the talismanic forces that drive their sides and also are outright superstars. Yes, these are all great players; even the French with their pace, youth and power are a dangerous side on their day. However, the fact that Belgium doesn’t have an out-and-out talismanic star is not a setback, it is a strength.

 

Eden Hazard: Those unfamiliar with the team might pick out Hazard, the skilful and dare I say Messi-Ronaldo-level playmaker from Chelsea, and put the weight of Belgian success on his shoulders. This would be a mistake on a few levels. Hazard is indeed the captain and leader of this side, he is also the most gifted ‘left wing/faux number 10 a la Messi’ currently playing in England, yet he is not the most important player in this side. Belgium can win and play good football even when Hazard does not show up to work — this is not a statement that many teams can make about their obvious heroes. 

 

Romelu Lukaku: The target man with potentially all the attributes that you would want from a number nine. He is one of only five players to have scored 50 English Premier League goals before his 23rd birthday (that was two years ago). He is also Belgium’s all-time record goalscorer and has always been a clinical finisher. Add the fact that he is 6ft 3in tall. Lukaku gives defenders nightmares with not just his goalscoring but also with his undeniable power.

 

Dries Mertens: The forward was named Belgian footballer of the year in 2016 and is the main striking and playmaking force for his club side, Napoli. A partner to Eden Hazard in creating chances, Mertens is usually found playing on the right-hand side when Eden plays on the left. One of the older players in the squad at 31, Mertens is still potentially the quickest player on the pitch for Belgium. He has made a total of 54 appearances for club and country in the 2016-2017 season (continuing into the current World Cup) and has scored 23 goals and provided 10 assists. That’s pure value in numbers. Mertens offers a direct approach and the option to really hurt the opposition with blistering pace and skill on a counter-attack. 

 

Kevin De Bruyne: The best modern-day advanced playmaker in the world is Belgium’s silent weapon. De Bruyne was the conductor of the Manchester City orchestra that took the Premier League title this season. He floats between a defensive role alongside Axel Witsel and an attacking central position behind Lukaku, Hazard and Mertens. His technique, vision and long-range shooting make him an undeniable threat. At the prime age of 27, KDB is set to go down in history as one of the best players to have ever kicked a football. He is the kind of player that always upsets the opposing team. He chases the ball in defence, makes the important tackle and then plays the important pass forward. De Bruyne is the ultimate distributor and he scores goals.

This is a new and relevant generation of Belgian footballers; having cruised to the round of 16, it could very well be their tournament.

Nischay Parekh is a songwriter and musician from Calcutta. He is also one half of the pop duo, Parekh & Singh