Belgium Leave Out Ajax's 29-Goal Wonderkid Mika Godts Despite Messi Endorsement

Belgium manager Rudi Garcia has stunned football observers by leaving Ajax forward Mika Godts out of his World Cup squad, despite the 20-year-old producing 17 goals and 12 assists in just 31 appearances this season.

The decision becomes even more baffling considering Lionel Messi personally selected Godts as one of 10 future stars to wear his signature Adidas boots last October, placing the Belgian alongside Liverpool's Rio Ngumoha and Como's nicolas-paz" class="entity-link entity-link--player">Nico Paz as football's next generation.

The Numbers That Should Have Guaranteed Selection

Godts sits joint-second in the Eredivisie scoring charts despite Ajax languishing in fifth place. His 29 goal contributions in 31 matches represent a strike rate that eclipses several players Garcia has selected.

Statistical Comparison With Selected Forwards

The numbers paint a stark picture when compared to Belgium's chosen attackers:

• Jeremy Doku: 3 goals, 11 assists in 46 Manchester City appearances
• Leandro Trossard: 17 goals, 2 assists in 46 Arsenal appearances
• Dodi Lukebakio: 7 goals, 5 assists in 33 Benfica appearances
• Diego Moreira: 4 goals, 3 assists in 29 Strasbourg appearances

Only Trossard matches Godts' goal output, yet the Ajax star adds 12 assists to his tally. European football expert Andy Brassell described Godts as "halfway between a traditional winger and a wide forward", highlighting his dual threat.

Elite Club Interest Validates His Quality

The forward's performances have attracted Manchester United, Arsenal, Newcastle and Bayern Munich, with scouts regularly attending Ajax matches. His ability to dribble past defenders while maintaining end product has drawn comparisons to Eden Hazard.

Ajax, not in an amazing position - Go get him now!

Brassell's assessment in April proved prophetic, as Godts continued his scoring run through the season's conclusion.

Why Garcia's 'Experience Over Form' Gamble Could Backfire

Garcia has loaded his squad with Belgium's ageing Golden Generation, selecting kevin-de-bruyne" class="entity-link entity-link--player">Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, Thibaut Courtois and Axel Witsel despite their collective failure to deliver at major tournaments.

The Golden Generation's Tournament Record

This core group has now participated in four major tournaments without reaching a final:

• World Cup 2018: Semi-final defeat to France
• Euro 2020: Quarter-final exit against Italy
• World Cup 2022: Group stage elimination
• Euro 2024: Round of 16 defeat to France

Garcia's preference for experience ignores that Godts already has two senior caps, both earned in March's international break against the USA and Germany. He performed creditably in both matches, suggesting he could handle tournament pressure.

The Pace Problem

Belgium's selected forwards average 28.5 years old, with Lukaku at 31 and several others approaching 30. Against teams that sit deep, Belgium will need players who can beat defenders one-on-one.

Godts offers exactly that threat. His dribbling statistics show he completes 3.2 successful take-ons per 90 minutes in the Eredivisie, a figure that would rank highest among Belgium's current squad.

What This Means for Belgium's World Cup Chances

The betting markets have Belgium at approximately 16/1 to win the World Cup, making them seventh favourites. This conservative squad selection suggests those odds might drift further.

Group Stage Concerns

Belgium face Morocco, Croatia and Canada in Group F. Both Morocco and Croatia proved at recent tournaments they can frustrate possession-based teams with organised defending. Without a player who can unlock tight defences through individual brilliance, Belgium risk repeating their Qatar 2022 group stage exit.

The absence of Godts removes Belgium's most in-form attacker and their best option for breaking down compact defences. While Doku offers pace, he lacks Godts' end product. Trossard provides goals but operates centrally for Arsenal, limiting his ability to stretch defences wide.

The Psychological Impact

Leaving out a player endorsed by Lionel Messi himself sends a troubling message about Belgium's ambitions. When the world's greatest player identifies you as one of football's future stars, your national team manager should take notice.

For Belgian supporters and bettors alike, this selection reveals a manager prioritising reputation over form. In tournaments where momentum and confidence prove crucial, starting with such a controversial omission could prove costly.

What Happens Next

Godts will watch from home as Belgium begin their World Cup 2026 campaign against Canada on June 18. If Garcia's ageing stars struggle to break down defensive opponents, the clamour for Godts' inclusion in future squads will only intensify.

For potential suitors, this summer represents an opportunity. With Godts missing the tournament spotlight, his transfer value might not spike as dramatically as expected. Ajax, already resigned to losing their star, could accept offers around €30-35 million rather than the €50 million they might have commanded after a successful World Cup.

Belgium's World Cup hopes now rest on their Golden Generation finding one last spark. Without their most exciting young talent, that task looks significantly harder.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why was Mika Godts left out of Belgium's World Cup squad?
Manager Rudi Garcia opted for experience over form, selecting established players like Jeremy Doku and Leandro Trossard despite Godts scoring 17 goals and providing 12 assists for Ajax this season. Garcia appears to be prioritising players with tournament experience for his first major competition as Belgium boss.

What did Lionel Messi say about Mika Godts?
Messi selected Godts as one of 10 future football stars to wear his signature Adidas F50 boots in October 2025. The World Cup winner personally chose Godts alongside players like Liverpool's Rio Ngumoha and Como's Nico Paz as representatives of football's next generation.

Which clubs want to sign Mika Godts?
Manchester United, Arsenal, Newcastle and Bayern Munich have all been linked with the 20-year-old Ajax forward. European football expert Andy Brassell also suggested Coventry City manager Frank Lampard could target Godts as they prepare for Premier League football.

How many goals has Godts scored this season?
Godts has scored 17 goals and provided 12 assists in 31 appearances for Ajax during the 2025-26 season. He sits joint-second in the Eredivisie scoring charts despite Ajax finishing fifth in the league.

Who did Belgium select instead of Godts?
Belgium's eight-man attacking lineup includes Jeremy Doku, Leandro Trossard, Romelu Lukaku, Charles De Ketelaere, Matias Fernandez Pardo, Dodi Lukebakio, Diego Moreira and Alexis Saelemaekers. Only Trossard matched Godts' goal output this season.

When does Belgium play their first World Cup match?
Belgium begin their World Cup 2026 campaign against Canada on June 18. They also face Morocco and Croatia in Group F, with the top two teams advancing to the knockout rounds.

Has Godts played for Belgium before?
Yes, Godts has earned two caps for Belgium's senior team. Both appearances came during the March 2026 international break in friendlies against the USA and Germany, where he performed well enough to suggest he could handle tournament football.

What are Belgium's chances of winning the World Cup?
Betting markets have Belgium at approximately 16/1 to win the World Cup 2026, making them seventh favourites. However, their conservative squad selection and reliance on an ageing Golden Generation suggest these odds might drift as the tournament approaches.