Roberto Martinez gives verdict on Belgium's 'golden generation'

Belgium manager Roberto Martinez has insisted that the nation's 'golden generation's' legacy has already been cemented, even if they are knocked out of this year's World Cup at the group stages.

The Red Devils need to beat Croatia in their final group game and hope that Canada do them a favour against Morocco in order to sneak into the knockout rounds.

Failure to do so would bring an end to Belgium's so-called 'golden generation', with many players at the tail end of their international careers.

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Speaking ahead of the final group game however, Martinez has insisted that the player deserve respect for what they've achieved throughout the years: "Leaving a legacy goes a lot further than winning a tournament.

"I'm sure you can find national teams that win tournaments and don't leave a legacy. This group of players deserves respect, deserves admiration for what they've done."

"You're talking about players that left Belgium very young to go to the [top] European football [clubs]. They win trophies and they're always committed. You've got eight players that are above 100 caps. We've got Thibaut Courtois reaching his 100th cap against Croatia. You got players that they gave their career for the national team.

"This generation is the golden generation of Belgian football. There is not a doubt. They got the bronze medal in 2018, they kept the national team four years at the No. 1 spot in the world rankings, a population of 11 million."