An incredible behind-the-scenes insight from inside the Belgium national setup has exposed exactly why Rudi Garcia chose to bench global icons in favour of Rangers midfield engine Nicolas Raskin.
Rudi Garcia raised eyebrows when he left Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Jeremy Doku on the bench before the Red Devils went on to beat the USA 4-1 in the 2026 FIFA World Cup last-16.
While the international media focused heavily on the fallout surrounding the shake-ups, a significant leak published by Belgian newspaper Het Nieuwsblad reveals a calculated managerial decision.
According to dressing room insiders, Garcia finalised his starting lineup to face the co-hosts right up against regulatory registration deadlines.
While ten outfield positions were heavily debated, the defensive midfield anchor role was to be occupied by Raskin and was treated as an absolute certainty.
Nico Raskin is making a name for himself on the international stage! 😍
If he is to leave Rangers, how much should he be sold for?
The 2025 Belgium game that changed Raskin’s fortunes
The leaked details reveal that Garcia’s unwavering trust in the Rangers midfielder dates back to a specific international fixture against Ukraine in March 2025.
Raskin made his senior debut for the Belgium national team in a UEFA Nations League play-off fixture against Ukraine on 20 March 2025, coming on as a late substitute and losing 3-1.
Following tactical imbalance in that specific 2025 fixture, Garcia recognised the desperate need for a disciplined, specialist defensive anchor who could secure the transition phase, thus leading the 25-year-old to start in 11 of the nation’s following 17 games in all competitions.
The true scale of his standing became clear when dressing room details emerged regarding superstar configurations.
Garcia’s tactical preference for height, positional strictness, and high pressing capacity meant that even standard marquee names were left out of the starting setup to ensure Raskin could anchor the system natively.
Massive premium value for Rangers
This internal validation on the major international stage completely transforms the transfer window for the decision-makers at Ibrox.
Nicolas Raskin has been linked with a Rangers exit…
Raskin has completely justified the faith placed in him, putting in dominant displays, including logging 89 minutes and a critical assist against the United States.
With heavy European interest circulating from Serie A sides Atalanta and Bologna, alongside La Liga’s Real Betis, his tactical necessity for his country puts Rangers in a supreme negotiation position.
The Andrew Cavenagh-led club are demanding a fee in excess of £20m for their star midfielder.
Now that Belgium dressing room sources have confirmed Raskin is considered a mandatory structural pillar for the World Cup quarter-finalists, Rangers are perfectly positioned to demand an absolute premium from any club looking to secure his signature.
