Just a few days ago, after Belgium’s comeback against Senegal, Thibaut Courtois and Kevin De Bruyne crossed paths during the celebrations and completely ignored each other. Not a hug, not a glance. The same icy distance they have carried since 2013, when a romance between Courtois and De Bruyne’s then-partner, Caroline Lijnen, split the Belgian national team in two.
But the 2026 World Cup had another scene in store. After thrashing the United States 4-1 at Seattle Stadium and advancing to the quarterfinals, cameras caught them walking together through the tunnel toward the pitch. Courtois in front, De Bruyne right behind, with no signs of resentment or explicit reconciliation.
No one knows whether it was protocol or a real first step. The truth is that both have already played four World Cups carrying that fracture, and you, watching the video, what do you think really happened between them? 🤔🧤