Kabasele hoping Watford form brings more Belgium caps

Christian Kabasele made his Belgium debut over the international break and is now hoping his form with Watford can bring more appearances for his country in the future.

The 25-year-old defender was a last-minute call-up for his side’s clash with Netherlands after Vincent Kompany went down in the warm-up.

A subsequent injury for the DR Congo-born defender then ended his international break early but Kabasele loved every minute of his showing.

And the former Genk man – who only converted from being a striker three years ago – hopes that was the first of many.

“It was a great feeling for me, I think every footballer wants to play for their national team and I made it. It was a big dream that came true,” he said.

“I found out one minute before the kick-off, Vincent felt something at the end the warm-up and in a few minutes I had to take off long pants and big jacket to be ready so it was a strange story.

(Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

“Three years ago I was still a striker and now I am an international defender which is a little bit crazy.

“Nobody would have said a few years ago that I would be an international, it’s crazy and I’m sure I don’t realise yet.

“It was a long time that I didn’t play – what I want now is to play here (at Watford) every day, I need to work and if the coach does not put me on the field I just need to be ready.

“Things like this can also happen here and it is my job to be ready.”