Belgium’s Marc Wilmots Names 24-Man Squad for 2014 World Cup with Divock Origi Surprise
Marc Wilmots, coach of the Belgian national team, has unveiled his 24-man squad for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, with one notable inclusion—Lille striker Divock Origi, who at just 19 years old, will be making his World Cup debut. This selection marks a significant step in Origi’s career, especially given that he had never been called up to the national team prior to this announcement.
The inclusion of Origi comes after the withdrawal of Christian Benteke, who suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon. According to Wilmots, Origi was chosen as a replacement for Benteke due to his similar playing style to the Aston Villa striker. “Given Christian Benteke’s injury, I needed someone to fill his spot. Divock Origi has a similar profile, and I believe he can offer us the strength and presence we need,” Wilmots explained.
After the announcement, Origi, who is of Kenyan descent, expressed his excitement and pride on the Lille club’s official website. “I am extremely happy and proud to represent my country at the World Cup. It’s a dream come true,” Origi said. “I didn’t expect it, even though I knew I was being followed and there was a possibility. But in football, there are always surprises. It’s a real pleasure to be on this list, and I’m sure I’ll learn a lot. I’ll give my all for my country.”
Origi’s journey to the national team has been remarkable. Having started his career in the youth teams of Racing Genk, he joined Lille in 2010. He is the son of Mike Origi, a former player for Genk. The Belgian striker made his professional debut on February 2, 2013, coming on as a substitute in a match against Troyes. He wasted no time in making an impact, scoring his first goal just six minutes after coming on.
Origi’s breakthrough season came after he joined the professional squad of Lille in the summer of 2013. Despite facing a period of self-doubt, the young forward worked on his weaknesses, which helped him regain confidence and improve his game. He ended the Ligue 1 season with 5 goals, showcasing his talent and earning a well-deserved spot in Belgium’s squad for the World Cup.
Belgium, considered one of the dark horses in the tournament, boasts a talented squad featuring stars like Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne, and Romelu Lukaku. With the inclusion of Origi, Wilmots has added another promising young talent to his World Cup team, hoping to capitalize on his growth and potential.
The Belgian team is set to begin their World Cup campaign with high hopes, and Origi’s presence could prove to be a key asset as they look to make a deep run in Brazil.
