Alderweireld gave the shocking reason why he ended his career with the Belgium national team
Central defender Toby Alderweireld is considered one of the most iconic players in the history of Belgium’s national team. However, the reason behind his decision to retire from international football is both unexpected and deeply personal.
The Details: According to the Antwerp defender, he stepped away from the national team due to struggles with panic attacks.
Quote:
"After a lost cup match against Union, I was angry and upset. That night, I couldn’t sleep and went to the club’s training base early in the morning to do a strength workout. Before leaving, I took a caffeine tablet because I don’t like coffee.
While driving, my heart suddenly started racing at what felt like 1,000 beats per minute. I thought I was having a heart attack. I believed it was the end—I’d never see my children again. I pulled over, walked into a furniture store, and asked if they could call an ambulance.
It turned out my heart was racing because of stress, which triggered a panic attack that made it beat even faster. In those moments, you’re convinced you’re about to die.
We ran tests, and everything came back fine. Later, I spoke to people who explained it was due to extreme stress—just a panic attack. I still experience it occasionally, but now I can handle it because I know it’s nothing serious.
That’s why I left the national team. I had an amazing time, participating in five major tournaments, and was able to close that chapter on my terms".
Reminder: Alderweireld earned 127 caps for Belgium, making him third on the all-time appearances list, and scored five goals. He retired from international football in March 2023.
During his illustrious career, he played for clubs like Tottenham, Ajax, Southampton, Atlético Madrid, and Al-Duhail, leaving a lasting legacy both domestically and internationally.
Kenley Ward
Dailysports's expert
