The architect of Belgium

Belgium has been number 1 in the FIFA rankings for three years in a row. A success that contrasts with the previous times of anxiety experienced by the Red Devils. You don't have to go very far for it. In March 2010, at the gates of the worldhe from South Africa, the Belgians were ranked 68 and were about to watch the tournament on television. Everything has changed in the last decade.

After the arrival of Roberto Martínez, even more so. Two years after landing, he was also entrusted with the work of being a sports director. From the offices he has been revolutionary almost as much as from the bench. Thus, his latest contribution is the excellent sports city built on the previous one, in Tubize.

“We wanted to have our Clairefontaine, our Ciudad del Fútbol de Las Rozas. With the money obtained from being semifinalists of the World Cup – instead of quarterfinalists, initial objective – we designed a plan for our facilities: nine fields, residence, offices …“, says Roberto Martínez, ideologist of the project.

The coach accompanies AS on a visit. He is enthusiastic: “This will remain a legacy forever. The players from the quarry will be able to see their idols training in the next field. It will serve as a mirror. There will also be a place to remember the most important players in the country. Legends will be built, something very important. “

There are barely 15 days until the new sports city opens. “The change is significant. When I arrived, the national team was still concentrating at the airport and working at the Anderlecht facilities. Now we measure up to the best“says Bob, Belgium architect as well as coach.