And no, it’s not Eden Hazard!
Swap soccer cleats for Cycling. This is what Jelle Van Damme, ex-Belgian international (31 caps) retired since 2020, decided to do. the former versatile defender of Standard de Liège developed a passion for cycling, to the point of training with Belgian cycling figure Greg Van Avermaet (Olympic road racing champion in Rio in 2016), reports the Sun.
An entry into competition for this year
Courant 2025, Jelle Van Damme even has her sights set on competing in the Gravel Cycling World Cup in the United States, at 41 years old. His new hobby even seems to have eclipsed all his footballing memories. “If I could start my life again, I would take up racing cycling, despite everything I went through in football. I think I would succeed given my mindset and personality”he told the English tabloid.
Determined to fully embrace cycling, Van Damme, however, leaves behind an important football career: 543 matches on the clock, Belgian champion with Anderlecht then Standard de Liège, Eredivisie champion with Ajax and brief stints in the Premier League (Southampton and Wolverhampton) and in MLS at LA Galaxy… A well-filled CV, and a experience in football that he will try to put to good use in his new passion.
-Two professional careers in one life, classy.
A new goalkeeper arrives at FC Metz
