KRC Genk defender Matte Smets has been selected for the Belgian national team for the first time. National coach Domenico Tedesco has included the 20-year-old talent in his squad for the upcoming Nations League matches against Italy and France. Besides Smets, five other players with a history at KRC Genk are also part of the squad: Casteels, Castagne, Trossard, Theate, and Vandevoordt. All six of these players were trained at our own Jos Vaessen Talent Academy, which once again highlights the quality of our youth academy and the progression to the highest level.
Strong season for Smets
Matte Smets' selection comes as no surprise. The young defender is having an excellent season at KRC Genk. He has started in eight of the nine matches and already has 677 playing minutes under his belt. Smets was previously part of the Belgian U20 and U21 squads.
Vandevoordt also present
Goalkeeper Maarten Vandevoordt is also in the squad. Maarten has played 169 matches for KRC Genk’s first team in recent seasons. He, too, is making his debut in the national team squad.
We are incredibly proud of all our (former) players representing our country and wish them the best of luck in the upcoming international matches.