Roméo Lavia’s first start for the Belgian national team ended with a “bitter taste.” Despite a standout individual display against France on September 28, 2026, the Chelsea midfielder refused to celebrate his personal milestone in the wake of Belgium’s failure to secure a victory.
A three-year battle for the starting XI
The milestone was years in the making. Lavia first entered the national team setup three or four years ago, but the path to the starting lineup was blocked by a grueling cycle of physical setbacks. According to Le Soir, the midfielder’s progress over the last three years was specifically stalled by a series of hamstring, thigh, and quadriceps injuries.
Speaking with reporter Benjamin Deceuninck, Lavia admitted it was a point of pride to finally earn the start. The satisfaction was short-lived, however, eclipsed by the final scoreline.
Intensity under the Van Bommel regime
The fixture served as an early test for new head coach Mark van Bommel. For Lavia, the mandate from the new coaching staff is clear: intensity. He identified this as the primary requirement for the team’s future success, noting that when the squad pairs its natural quality with high intensity, it creates significant problems for the opposition.
Le Soir reported that Lavia excelled as a recovering midfielder, using his technical ability and reading of the game to hold his own against a French side described as superior in nearly every aspect of the match. It was a physical exertion that pushed him to the limit; Lavia finished the game struggling with cramps.
The insignificance of “good actions”
Observers suggested Lavia may have been the best Belgian player on the pitch, but the midfielder dismissed the praise. He told reporters he does not like to speak about himself when the result does not go in the team’s favor, arguing that individual “good actions” are meaningless without a win.
Lavia and teammate Nathan Ngoy both attributed the loss to small details. While Lavia admitted it is difficult to provide a definitive answer immediately after the whistle, he noted that Belgium had chances and simply had a day where things did not go their way.
The midfielder maintained that the team should be proud of the performance and the start of the Van Bommel era, provided they draw the necessary lessons for the next fixture.
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