Simon Mignolet retires as Belgian Red Devil

Club Brugge goalkeeper Simon Mignolet has called time on his international career with the Belgian Red Devils. He made the announcement in a video posted on his social media on Monday.

"Sometimes you have to take difficult decisions. Today is one of them," Mignolet began his farewell message. "After 13 years of representing my country, I say goodbye to the Red Devils. Pride, honour and gratitude are three words that sum up how I feel about this wonderful chapter in my career. To all my teammates, the staff and especially the fans, everyone. Thank you all."

After captain Eden Hazard and Toby Alderweireld, Mignolet, 35, is the third Red Devil to call it quits after the World Cup in Qatar that ended prematurely with a group-stage exit.

Mignolet ends his Red Devils career with 35 caps and 129 appearances. He briefly wore the number one jersey after making his debut in the 2-0 defeat to Austria in March 2011 before losing his place under the bar to Thibaut Courtois just over a year later.

Mignolet was a reserve goalkeeper at the 2014, 2018 and 2022 World Cups and the 2016 and 2020 European Championships.

^{© BELGA PHOTO BRUNO FAHY}