Les Diables discover in Roméo Lavia a bold and decisive midfielder

While the Red Devils have long been looking for a midfielder capable of combining defence and creativity, Roméo Lavia, 22, delivered a first start that immediately changed the game. Born in Brussels, he had played 82 club matches before being selected to face France, where he made a decisive save in the 27th minute.

A complete profile from the first start

The young Brussels native stands out for a rare versatility: he knows how to defend, win the ball back and even dribble a metre from the box. Data sites rank him among the best of the basic eleven, despite his lack of experience and a few age‑related flaws. His game intelligence has earned him many won duels, leaving “only crumbs for the French”, according to observers.

The support of the technical staff

Mark van Bommel, new manager, immediately asked Lavia about his ability to continue the match. The midfielder answered with two thumbs up, before feeling cramps in the 82nd minute, reminding of the physical fragility that remains a concern. Romain Van der Pluym highlighted that Lavia was “one of Belgium’s strong men” from this first start.

Roméo Lavia outwits Red Devils with perfect passing statistics

A distinct identity for the Belgian midfield

Unlike a Witsel 2.0, Lavia embodies the fire of the Belgian midfield, while the Liège native was water. His boldness, inherited from his Brussels neighbourhood, translates into quick ball‑carrying runs that speed up the game, especially in van Bommel’s vertical system. The coach firmly believes in his potential, even if the midfield hierarchy could be reassessed by Euro 2028.

In summary, Roméo Lavia’s journey from street football to the international stage shows that the Red Devils have found, in midfield, a new leader capable of making an impression and inspiring the next generation.

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