Kevin de Bruyne loses temper and calls journalist "stupid" over question following Belgium's Euro 2024 exit
Kevin de Bruyne loses temper and calls journalist "stupid" over question following Belgium's Euro 2024 exit
Kevin de Bruyne lost his temper when a journalist asked him a question following Belgium's elimination from Euro 2024.
Belgium fell to a 1-0 defeat to France in their round-of-16 clash on Monday, bringing their Euro 2024 campaign to an end.
Both sides were far from their best and managed just two shots on target each, with France needing Belgian defender Jan Vertonghen to deflect a shot past his own goalkeeper with five minutes left to play.
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It was a frustrating tournament for Belgium, who despite losing several experienced played in recent years were many people's dark horses.
Domenico Tedesco's side squeezed into the knockout stages with a goalless draw with Ukraine in their final group match, and at full-time frustrations became clear.
After that game captain Kevin de Bruyne told his teammates not to applaud their fans when they started booing them and making thumbs-down gestures.
The Manchester City star was booed when he was presented with his Player of the Match award.
De Bruyne once again cut a frustrated figure on Monday, venting at his teammates and coach.
The 33-year-old clearly hadn't calmed down by the time he conducted his post-match media duties.
During his post-match press-conference, De Bruyne lost his cool with a journalist who asked him about Belgium's 'golden generation' failing to make it to a tournament final.
The reporter asked: "Is it hard that the golden generation didn't achieve a final?"
De Bruyne replied: "What is a golden generation?"
The journalist responded, "Yours!", before the Belgium captain hit back: "Yours? And you say that France, England, Spain and Germany is not a Golden Generation? Okay, thank you."
De Bruyne got up from his seat and headed for the door, with cameras catching him shaking his head and saying: "Stupid."
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Alex Brotherton