As Belgium gears up for their FIFA World Cup opener against Egypt, star player Kevin De Bruyne expressed his excitement about facing off against former Premier League adversary Mohamed Salah. De Bruyne reflected on how his experience as a veteran enhances his enjoyment of representing his national team.

Belgium, which secured third place in the 2018 World Cup, will commence their quest for their first World Cup title against Egypt on Monday. Since making his international debut in 2010, De Bruyne has witnessed significant moments with the national team. In his first World Cup in 2014, Belgium reached the quarterfinals after a 12-year absence from the tournament. Although they performed better in 2018, finishing third, they faced disappointment in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where they were eliminated in the group stage.

In a press conference before the match, De Bruyne shared his thoughts, stating, "I believe I am at a stage in my career where I can appreciate playing for my country even more."

"When I was younger, my sole focus was on playing football, often overlooking the significance of representing my nation. Now, I have a deeper understanding of what it means to participate in my fourth World Cup. It is a privilege to still be here after 16 years with the national team, which indicates that I have accomplished something worthwhile!"

The upcoming match will also mark a reunion between De Bruyne and Salah, who were rivals in the Premier League, with De Bruyne now playing for Napoli. The Belgian recalled their past encounters in the Premier League while representing Manchester City and noted that their children attended the same school, describing Salah as a "nice guy."

"It will be great to see him again and compete like we used to," De Bruyne remarked.