Debast has reportedly been working his way back from a thigh injury suffered late in the season. He returned to Belgium for further examinations and was included in Rudi Garcia’s squad after making progress in training.
That return, however, appears to have remained carefully managed. The report says Debast missed Belgium’s opening matches and was only named among the substitutes for the last-16 tie after a positive MRI scan.
Debast had previously offered an optimistic assessment of his recovery, saying: “Everything is going as planned. I feel good.” Yet feeling ready and being cleared for a high-intensity knockout match are not necessarily the same thing.
Garcia is now expected to prepare without a defender he had kept in the squad in the hope that he might contribute later in the tournament. A quarter-final against Spain leaves little room for uncertainty, making defensive organisation and selection clarity even more important.
The disagreement also underlines the difficult balance between national-team ambition and a club’s responsibility to protect an injured player. Sporting’s decision may frustrate Belgium, but any comeback must ultimately be judged against the risk of aggravating the problem.
The report says Debast will continue individual training under the Belgian federation’s performance department. The next storyline will be whether he can return to full fitness after the tournament-and whether club and country can reach a clearer medical consensus before Belgium’s next major test.