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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Vertonghen own goal knocked Belgium out</li><li>Defender announced international retirement</li><li>Veteran is a free agent after contract ended</li></ul>

'I lived my dream' - Jan Vertonghen announces retirement from international football after Belgium's Euro 2024 exit

UEFA Nations League A

Israel

Belgium

<p>The veteran centre-back was part of the Rode Duivels side that crashed out of the competition <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/france-player-ratings-vs-belgium-euro-2024-william-saliba/blt7a931b614c6304b1" target="_blank">with a 1-0 loss to France in the last-16</a>. It was the former Ajax and Tottenham star who scored the own goal that saw his team eliminated, and it will be his final major action for the national team.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Vertonghen took to Instagram to announce the news, writing in a post: "First one, last one. Thx for all the memories, I lived my dream!"</p><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C9CScJwNhGV/" data-instgrm-version="13" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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WHAT VERTONGHEN SAID

<p>Vertonghen made 157 appearances for Belgium since making his debut in June 2007. He was part of the nation's 'golden generation' that included the likes of Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku, among others. They made it to the 2018 World Cup semi-finals before beating England 2-0 in the third-place play-off. They then reached the quarter-finals of Euro 2020.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>The defender is currently out of contract after his contract with Anderlecht expired. The Belgian giants are eager for him to sign an extension, but he has not yet confirmed his decision.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR VERTONGHEN?

'I lived my dream' - Jan Vertonghen announces retirement from international football after Belgium's Euro 2024 exit | Goal.com

Belgian centre-back Jan Vertonghen has announced his retirement from international football following his team&apos;s elimination from Euro 2024.