'I feel good': De Bruyne motivated to keep playing for Belgium despite age

[p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/de-bruyne-kevin/MsPs6OI5/"]De Bruyne[/a], ‌35, has won 124 caps since his debut as a teenager in 2010 under ‌Georges Leekens and is lined up to add more appearances as [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/belgium/GbB957na/"]‌Belgium[/a] now have Mark van Bommel in charge.[/p][p]The new era begins against [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/italy/hlKvieGH/"]Italy[/a] ‌in Rome [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/belgium-GbB957na/italy-hlKvieGH/?mid=tdpJ30MO"]on Friday[/a], followed by Nations League clashes with [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/france/QkGeVG1n/"]‌France[/a] (twice) and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/turkey/QeijuHo5/"]Turkey[/a] over the next three weeks.[/p][p]In recent weeks, De Bruyne has seen long-time colleague [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/witsel-axel/2JsUqijl/"]Axel Witsel[/a] retire and goalkeeper [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/courtois-thibaut/MVExOq3n/"]Thibaut Courtois[/a] sit out the Nations League ‌but told reporters on Tuesday he had never ⁠considered quitting the national team.[/p][p][b]"No, ‌that was never an issue for me,"[/b] he said. [b]"The coach did ask me what ​I wanted to do. My feeling after the World Cup was that I had enjoyed myself. A lot of players ​also asked me to stay.[/b][/p][p][b]"I also felt physically good and still wanted to play. That's the most important motivation. As long as I ⁠still have that motivation, why ​wouldn't I continue?"[/b][/p][embed guid="bd93bf9d-9432-42a9-9b38-90b1b42acbbe" url="https://x.com/BelRedDevils/status/2102397849560395950" social-type="twitter" /][h2]De Bruyne impressed with new coach[/h2][p]De Bruyne did not feel the need for an arrangement like Courtois' to temporarily sit out the Nations League.[/p][p][b]"There will come a day when I say that I don't need ‌to do it anymore, but that's not something that is on my mind at the moment.[/b][/p][p][b]"I do think these will be my final two years,"[/b] but then, hesitating, added: [b]"Never say never. At the moment I feel good, so we'll see."[/b][/p][embed guid="d6f5aa85-7752-4040-bcaa-2ac72e9abf63" url="https://x.com/BelRedDevils/status/2102019645179920873" social-type="twitter" /][p]De Bruyne said he was impressed with new coach Van Bommel. [b]"A typical Dutchman, very direct in his dealings. I like that, just someone who says things as they are.[/b][/p][p][b]"We now have to try to make a good start, and after four matches we'll know ‌what we can achieve,"[/b] added the [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/napoli/69Dxbc61/"]Napoli[/a] midfielder.[/p][p]"I think my level is ​pretty good. I'm quite satisfied with the way I'm playing. I ‌was surprised by how fit I was when I returned in August and by how sharp I feel.[/p][p][b]"I've also now played three matches in a row for 90 minutes. If I can continue like this, that's great for me. It's very positive. My level ⁠compared with 10 years ago? ⁠There's a difference, but that's ‌normal too,"[/b] De Bruyne said.[/p][infobox id="5a8fbd57-e97c-4bdc-9f6b-fb0fb254e893" /]