Toby Alderweireld, working on his last season as a professional football player, was waved goodbye on Saturday evening by his club Royal Antwerp FC. ‘The Great Old’ lost 0-4 to Union Saint-Gilloise at home, which can become Belgian champion for the first time since 1935.
The 36-year-old Alderweireld announced his football pension at the end of 2024. He played his last game in mid -March. After that he did not take action anymore because of a hamstring injury.
But Alderweireld wanted to go to the field one more time. Before the match against Union, the last home game of Antwerp in the championship competition, he was again achieved during the match selection. Before the start, he was already extensively put in the spotlight with his family.
The former defender of Ajax and Tottenham Hotspur played three seasons for ‘The Great Old’ and made itself extremely popular in June 2023. In the away match against KRC Genk, he gave Antwerp the national title by shooting the ball into the intersection deep in injury time. Alderweireld also won the Belgian cup and Supercup with Antwerp in the same year.
Despite his injury, he received a suitable tribute on Saturday evening. Alderweireld was allowed to invade in the 86th minute. He immediately got the captain’s band, reported strikingly enough during rush hour and was able to record a few ball contacts.
Union can Smell Twelfth Title
That tribute was the final piece of a competition that had already been decided before the break. Union was already in the first half to a 0-3 lead and won 0-4. Mohammed Fuseini made the first two hits. Then Franjo Ivanovic and Promise David Akinpelu scored.
Union has become the Dutch champion of Belgium eleven times, but the last title dates from 1935. Now number twelve is within reach. Pailler Club Brugge has four points behind, but will visit Anderlecht on Sunday. Loses ‘Blauw-Zwart’, then Union is already champion thanks to the Buren Brussels.
If not, Union can finish the next Sunday at home against KAA Gent, the number six of the champion competition. Club Brugge plays at home against Antwerp in this last round at the same time.