Kevin De Bruyne and Thibaut Courtois did not acknowledge each other after Belgium's World Cup win over Senegal on July 6th.

What happened?

The tension between the two Belgian superstars was evident as they celebrated their team's victory.

Kevin De Bruyne and Thibaut Courtois have a long history, having shared a locker room for over a decade.

How did it start?

The rift between them began over a decade ago, when De Bruyne dated Caroline Lijnen, a former tennis player, from 2010 to 2013.

Lijnen later became involved with Courtois, who was on loan at Atlético Madrid from Chelsea at the time.

Why it matters for Kevin De Bruyne

The situation became public knowledge in 2014, when De Bruyne referenced it in his autobiography, *Keep It Simple*.

De Bruyne's decision not to have Courtois removed from the squad despite their personal conflict showed his commitment to the team.

Belgium's manager at the time, Marc Wilmots, asked De Bruyne if he wanted Courtois removed, but De Bruyne said no.

What comes next?

Belgium will face off against the United States on Monday, July 6th at 5 pm PT, with the winner advancing to play Spain on Friday, July 10th at 12 pm PT.

Kevin De Bruyne and Thibaut Courtois will likely continue to play together for Belgium, despite their personal differences.

The tension between them is still visible, as seen in their interaction after the Senegal match.

Courtois has since praised De Bruyne, calling him a talented and hardworking player.

De Bruyne has moved on in his personal life, marrying Michèle Lacroix in 2017 and having three children.

Courtois has also moved on, marrying model Mishel Gerzig in 2023.

The rift between Kevin De Bruyne and Thibaut Courtois is a reminder that personal conflicts can exist even among teammates.

Belgium's World Cup campaign will continue, with De Bruyne and Courtois playing key roles.

The team's success will depend on their ability to put their personal differences aside and work together.

Kevin De Bruyne's performance on the pitch will be crucial to Belgium's chances of advancing in the tournament.

The World Cup is a high-pressure tournament, and players must be able to perform under stress.

Kevin De Bruyne has shown his ability to perform under pressure, and will be counted on to do so again.

The match against the United States will be a tough test for Belgium, but with De Bruyne and Courtois on the team, they have a good chance of winning.

The winner of the match will advance to play Spain, who are a strong team.

Kevin De Bruyne and Thibaut Courtois will need to be at their best if Belgium is to advance.

The World Cup is a tournament where anything can happen, and Belgium will need to be prepared.

Kevin De Bruyne's experience and skill will be important assets for Belgium as they move forward in the tournament.