Zeno Debast has already played two matches so far in this Euro. His mother, Nelleke, is very proud, but also takes criticism quite badly.
Nelleke Pauwels is a real mother hen, who attends every match of her son. Soon she will have to let him go to Portugal. In It Newspapershe gave an interview and did not hide her concern.
“At least for the emotions it might stir up. I’m very sensitive when it comes to my children,” she says. “The comments on social media are terrible sometimes. People can be so rude.”
“Do they realize what they write? What if it concerns your children? Zeno doesn’t read anything, doesn’t watch anything. He makes his own assessment. The analysts, the newspapers, he doesn’t want to know. I risky to read sometimes, but in fact, he is right.”
But pride still prevails. “During this first Euro match, I was really moved. When Zeno gave this long ball to Openda, then Lukaku scored, I immediately had tears in my eyes,” she says.
She fears Zeno Debast’s departure for Portugal a little. “I find it difficult to let my children go. Leaving Anderlecht will also be difficult for us. It’s our second home,” assures Nelleke. “We get along very well with the parents of the other players as well.”
