Pascal Struijk's international future could have taken a very different turn, and Maxime De Kuyper is right to frame it as one of those decisions that still lingers in the background. Roberto Martinez was the first to contact him about Belgium in early 2021, but the Brighton and Hove Albion FC defender says his dream was always to play for the Dutch national team.
That makes the summer move from Leeds to Brighton and Hove Albion FC feel like only part of the story. Tonight, Struijk could have been at the Los Angeles Stadium with Belgium at the World Cup had he chosen the Red Devils route instead of continuing with the Netherlands, where he had already played age group football.
Martinez's approach came at the right time for Belgium
The timing of Martinez's interest tells its own story. Belgium were looking at the long-term picture in central defence, with concern growing over the ages of Jan Vertonghen, Toby Alderweireld and Thomas Vermaelen.
Struijk made clear that he understood the significance of the contact. "Back then, Roberto Martinez was still the coach," he said. "He was the one who first contacted me. He let me know it was a possibility."
For Belgium, that kind of approach was logical. For Struijk, it was a reminder that senior international football can turn on very fine margins, especially for a player who has already built a connection with one country through age group football.
Why the Dutch choice still mattered most
Even with Belgium's interest, Struijk never sounded as though he was drifting away from the Netherlands. He admitted the idea stayed in his mind, but the pull of the Dutch national team was stronger.
"That's still something that lingers in your mind but for me it's a dream to play for the Dutch national team," he said.
That is the key point in the story. This was not simply a case of one association missing out on a player. It was a clear choice by Struijk, who had already represented Holland at age group level and wanted that pathway to continue at senior level.
What it means now for Brighton and Hove Albion FC
For Brighton and Hove Albion FC, the interest from Belgium is another reminder of the level of player they have added in the summer. A defender with international options and World Cup-level relevance brings both quality and context to Fabian Hurzeler's squad.
Martinez, for his part, was careful not to let the issue become bigger than it needed to be. "I don't want to start a war between two football associations," he said.
That line sums up the balance of the whole episode. Belgium made the call, the Netherlands held their ground, and Struijk chose the route that matched his own ambition. If he had gone the other way, he might have been on the biggest stage tonight. Instead, his focus remains on Brighton and Hove Albion FC and on the international path he decided was right for him.
