Jeremy Doku torn to shreds after announcing departure from Belgium's World Cup squad

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Tom Weber | Writer

Multilingual sports writer who specialises in European football and American soccer.

Manchester City winger Jeremy Doku has announced that he could leave Belgium's World Cup squad in the coming days, sparking a frankly bizarre reaction from pundits in his home country and France.

The 24-year-old is coming off a strong season for Man City, scoring eight goals and providing 14 assists. In many ways, Doku has become the great hope of Belgium, whose golden generation has faded away in recent years.

Only a few players remain, most notably Thibaut Courtois, Kevin de Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku, but it could be argued that this is now Doku's team. This was obvious in the Red Devils' World Cup opener against Egypt.

Doku was the only player who provided a consistent attacking threat down the left wing as Belgium slumped to a hugely disappointing 1-1 draw with Mohamed Salah and company in Seattle.

Belgium have a fairly uninspiring team and an uninspiring manager in Rudi Garcia - with the exception of Doku. So the fact that the Man City star has now announced that he could depart the squad has caused a stir.

Doku wants to see the birth of his child

The reason for Doku's potentially impending exit is simple: his partner is pregnant with their first child and could give birth any day now. However, the player has not yet officially left camp; he has only suggested that he would be loath to miss the occasion.

"It depends on when it happens, but it's my first child, so I ‌would ⁠definitely want to be there," Doku explained. "If you ask me what I want, my answer is that nobody wants to miss the birth of their first child.

"But I also know that football involves many ⁠other considerations. I know the federation supports its players and understands their situations. We'll see what we can do."

The reaction to Doku's comments has been nothing short of bizarre. L'Equipe journalist France Pierron, who has a history of making controversial remarks, has torn into the Man City winger.

"You can't miss a World Cup," he thundered. "You're not going to the match to cut an umbilical cord?

"You have the chance to participate in a World Cup, and there are hundreds of footballers who would kill to be in your place, but you're going to leave all that to go and witness the birth of your child, which is a disgusting moment, excuse me, where the father is useless. He has a role as an extra.

"The midwife doesn't know how to do it? Meanwhile, you're going to waste 10 hours, you're going to get exhausted, you're going to have an emotional meltdown, you're going to be completely deflated for the World Cup."

Former boxer Brahim Asloum, however, was the voice of reason and countered Pierron: "A baby is your whole life! You can win a World Cup or miss it, but once it's over, it's over."

Belgium's next game is a must-win clash with Iran in Los Angeles on Sunday. Their final group match is against New Zealand in Vancouver next Friday. As things stand, Doku is still with the team, but perhaps not for much longer.