Rangers star Nicolas Raskin has been branded ‘mediocre’ by Belgian media after an underwhelming display in Belgium’s goalless draw against Iran in the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Sunday.
After an impressive cameo in the 1-1 draw against Egypt, the Rangers midfielder was handed a starting role by Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia in place of Amadou Onana.
However, the 25-year-old struggled to justify that faith, and the Belgian press delivered a damning and remarkably unanimous verdict on his performance in the aftermath, as the Red Devils played out another draw.
Five of Belgium’s leading media outlets all rated Raskin 5/10 – a consistency of criticism that will make uncomfortable reading both for the player and for those monitoring his situation at Ibrox this summer.
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?
Belgian media united in 5/10 verdict on Raskin
Het Laatste Nieuws set the tone with the most memorable assessment, describing Raskin’s outing as a “mediocre match” and noting he conceded possession way too easily multiple times – a damning summary from one of Belgium’s most widely read newspapers.
HLN wrote, “Exit Onana, enter Raskin. The expected intervention by Garcia in midfield did come. Raskin was dispossessed too easily on several occasions. Mediocre match.”
Gazet van Antwerpen acknowledged that Raskin brought more footballing ability than Onana, but was equally critical, pointing out that the Rangers man passed the ball straight to Iranian feet on more than one occasion.
“Not wow” was their blunt conclusion.
GvA wrote, “As expected, he was preferred over Onana. He brought more footballing ability, albeit with the necessary risks: he played the ball too easily into the feet of an Iranian a couple of times. Not wow.”
French-language outlet 7sur7 noted that Garcia had turned to Raskin hoping to inject technical flair into Belgium’s midfield, but echoed the dispossession concerns, labelling it a “neutral performance”.
7sur7’s summary read: “As expected, Garcia started Raskin in place of Onana, hoping to inject some technical flair into a compact Iranian defence. However, the Rangers player was dispossessed far too easily on several occasions. A neutral performance. He was replaced by Hans Vanaken in the 58th minute, who had a good half-hour to make an impact.”
Meanwhile, Walfoot observed that Raskin lacked his usual impact and dynamism, warning that the passes he was giving away could have been punished by a higher-level opponent.
Walfoot wrote: “Not his best match in terms of impact and dynamism, and he missed a few passes that could have been dangerous against a higher-level opponent. Substituted for a more attacking player.”
L’Avenir offered the most balanced take of the five, crediting the Rangers ace with several ball recoveries while acknowledging he was not always accurate, which was a verdict that captures both his strengths and limitations on the evening.
L’Avenir noted, “He had his ups and downs. Made several ball recoveries – his main task – but he wasn’t always so accurate.”
Nicolas Raskin has been linked with a Rangers exit…
What it means for Rangers
For a player whose transfer value and future at Ibrox remain very much under discussion this summer, a 5/10 rating from five separate outlets on his first World Cup start is far from the statement performance Raskin needed.
Rangers are under no pressure to sell the former Standard Liege man, as he is contracted to them until 2028, but there is a growing feeling that now is the best time to part ways.
Atalanta have been credited with an interest in signing the midfielder, while Tottenham are also said to be in the mix.
Rangers’ hopes of getting the best transfer fee for his sale depend on him impressing on the global stage.
