The final points and commas have not yet been set, but at 32, Toby Alderweireld looks set to bury his football career in the desert. The Red Devil does not immediately opt for a sporting project in Qatar, as our guests in De Tribune concluded. And there is a second chapter to the story: how can you ethically justify this choice?
After Jan Vertonghen, Toby Alderweireld (more than likely) also leaves Tottenham. Vertonghen opted for a sidestep to Benfica, Alderweireld is about to sign with Al Duhail in Qatar.
“That Vertonghen was not going to bulge and Alderweireld seems to do? Thomas Vermaelen also did not do it in Japan. We saw that at the past European Championship”, Wim De Coninck (Proximus Sports) answered in our podcast De Tribune. “But Toby opts for the thick contract.”
“It is a clear choice for the money”, Bart Lagae (Het Nieuwsblad) added. “The next games will show whether he still has a future with the national team.”
“We see Toby as the younger link in the defense who has already advanced in age. Many people did not expect this from him. He has the Antwerp cathedral tattooed on his arm and he didn’t seem like the person who would make such choices.”
“But if at the age of 32 you can earn roughly 3 million euros net per year for 3 years, you take that into consideration. He does it and will have to take the consequences. Because the level in Qatar is not good, or is it less than in China or Japan.”
Did Alderweireld not earn enough in England? De Coninck: “Perhaps he measured himself against the other players of the national team in England? Sportingly, this is not a great choice, perhaps for the rest of his life. Although going there with your children is a terrible step.”
“A lot of clubs are working with Qatar: we can’t just target Alderweireld”
In addition to the sporty aspect, there is also an ethical side to this story. Qatar will host the 2022 World Cup but has come under fire for its lack of respect for human rights.
Some time ago, many national teams also raised the issue with messages on T-shirts. The Belgian team – with Alderweireld – jumped on that train, but apparently there is a double bottom.
Bart Lagae: “Perhaps the players see themselves as a kind of missionary: we pay attention to the problem and will solve it. That is naive.”
“Don’t forget that the KBVB sponsors a construction company with important projects in Qatar with Besix. So they could not afford to take a radical position.”
Doesn’t this leave a bitter aftertaste? “Thomas Meunier has played for PSG for years. That club is owned by Qatar, Al Duhail is owned by the brother of the PSG chairman. What’s the difference then?”
“As journalists we will continue to ask critical questions, but we cannot now target Alderweireld if there are many other clubs working closely with Qatar.”
“I don’t see Alderweireld returning like Witsel”
Living and football conditions are of course different in Qatar. Will we see the best Toby Alderweireld in the national team shirt again?
“That will be difficult, but we also thought that about Axel Witsel when he went to China. But he has come back strongly”, Wim De Coninck draws a parallel.
“I don’t see Alderweireld doing it anymore unless he’s so homesick and money doesn’t make up for everything.”
“He will only be able to play real football with the national team, but is he still sharp and strong enough for that? Don’t forget: he was not the great star at the European Championships either.”
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