Steven Defour says Nations League overloads Red Devils

Steven Defour, former Belgium midfielder, contrasts the Nations League’s original promise with his own experience: the competition, launched as the Ligue des Nations in 2018, was meant to raise international standards, yet he argues it now piles extra strain on the Diable Rouge and its players.

Origins and structure of the competition

Defour explains that the Ligue des Nations adds a “supplementary load for the players, on top of an already heavy club calendar that continues to get heavier”. He adds, “This competition only goes against the physical integrity of footballers, who must play even more matches”.

UEFA introduced the Nations League in the 2018/19 season to replace friendlies and make international football more competitive. The stated aim was to have national teams meet more often opponents of comparable level and to reduce the number of “meaningless” matches.

Europe was divided into several divisions with promotion and relegation, turning the tournament into a permanent fixture of the international calendar.

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Financial and competitive impact

Since its inception, Portugal won the first edition in 2019, France followed in 2021, Spain claimed the title in 2023 and Portugal secured a second crown in 2025.

Belgium’s own Red Devils (Diable Rouge) reached the Final Four in 2021, losing 2‑3 to France in the semi‑final and then 2‑1 to Italy in the third‑place match.

UEFA notes the competition provides a stable revenue stream through centralised commercial rights and sponsor income. For the 2022‑2028 period, combined commercial revenues from the Nations League and other national competitions are projected to reach about €3 billion, with clubs receiving compensation for releasing players.

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Nevertheless, Defour concludes, “For me, this Nations League should not exist at all”.