Vertonghen quits international football as most-capped Belgian

Antoine Griezmann of France celebrates in the Belgium goal after Randal Kolo Muani shot at goal to cause Belgium’s Jan Vertonghen to score an own goal during their round of sixteen match at the Euro 2024 in Duesseldorf on Jul. 1, 2024. (AP)

• The 37-year-old former Tottenham player holds the Belgian record with 157 caps
• He made his debut against Portugal in Euro qualifying in July 2007

BRUSSELS: Veteran Belgian defender Jan Vertonghen, whose own goal knocked Belgium out of Euro 2024, announced his international retirement on Friday.
The 37-year-old former Tottenham player holds the Belgian record with 157 caps. He made his debut against Portugal in Euro qualifying in July 2007 and played his last match in the 1-0 loss to France in the Euros round of 16 on July 1.
“First one, last one. Thx for all the memories. I lived my dream,” Vertonghen wrote on Instagram alongside photos of him lining up before his first cap and last caps.
Euro 2024 in Germany was Vertonghen’s sixth major tournament. He scored 10 international goals.
“Thanks for everything, Jan!” wrote the Belgium Football Association on their website, adding on Instagram: “From the training ground to the pitch, you showed us what it was to be a true Red Devil. We’ll miss you, Jan.”
Vertonghen started his club career with Ajax, spent eight years at Spurs and moved to Benfica before returning to Belgium to play for Anderlecht last season.