PLAYER SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Maxim Peter M. De Cuyper |
| Date of Birth | 22/12/2000 (Age: 25) |
| Place of Birth | Knokke-Heist, Belgium |
| Nationality | Belgian |
| Height | 1.82–1.83 m / 6 ft 0 in |
| Weight | 72–73 kg |
| Position | Left-Back / Full-Back |
| Preferred Foot | Left |
| Squad Number | #29 (Brighton) |
| Current Club | Brighton & Hove Albion |
| Previous Clubs | Club Brugge, Westerlo (loan), Club NXT |
| International Caps | 25 |
| International Goals | 4 |
| World Cup Appearances | 2026 |
| Contract Until | 2030 |
| Market Value | €22M–€24.8M |
The Frozen Moment
The 2026 World Cup in North America. Belgium, the Red Devils, had stumbled through their group stage—two draws and a thrashing of New Zealand. Now, in the Round of 32 against Senegal, they faced elimination, trailing 2-0 with just over ten minutes remaining. Maxim De Cuyper, who had been substituted in the 78th minute, could only watch from the sidelines.
Then came the unthinkable. Belgium stormed back without him, scoring three goals to snatch a 3-2 victory after extra time. For De Cuyper, it was a moment of both relief and reflection. “On va parler de ce match contre le Sénégal encore longtemps, c’était vraiment incroyable! C’est difficile de mettre des mots sur ce qu’on a ressenti,” he later said, describing the encounter as the most emotional of his career.
But redemption was just around the corner. In the Round of 16 against co-hosts USA, De Cuyper started and delivered a performance that left pundits in awe. Former Germany and Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger declared him “the standout player on the pitch” as Belgium cruised to a 4-1 victory.
For the 25-year-old left-back from Knokke-Heist, the World Cup had been a rollercoaster—from the bench to the starting XI, from watching a miraculous comeback to leading one himself. He had arrived at the tournament as Brighton’s representative in the quarter-finals, and he had proven his worth on the biggest stage.
Origins
Born on December 22, 2000, in Knokke-Heist, Belgium, Maxim De Cuyper’s footballing journey began at local clubs KFC Heist and Blauw-Zwart before joining Club Brugge’s youth academy in 2016. He progressed through the youth ranks, honing his skills as an attack-minded left-back who modelled his game on Brazilian legend Marcelo.
His professional debut came on February 20, 2020, in a Europa League Round of 32 tie against Manchester United, where he started and played 73 minutes in a 1-1 draw. It was a baptism of fire against one of Europe’s elite clubs, but De Cuyper showed he belonged at this level.
The European Forge
Club Brugge (2020-2025):
De Cuyper’s senior career began at Club Brugge, where he made 74 league appearances and scored 6 goals. He also featured for Club NXT, Brugge’s reserve team, making 20 appearances and scoring 5 goals. His early years at the club were defined by development and learning, as he shared a dressing room with some of Belgium’s finest talents.
Westerlo Loan (2021-2023):
A two-year loan spell at KVC Westerlo proved transformative. He made 64 appearances and scored 15 goals, helping the club earn promotion to the Jupiler Pro League. His performances in the Belgian second division established him as one of the country’s most promising full-backs.
Return to Club Brugge (2023-2025):
De Cuyper returned to Brugge to cement his place in the starting XI. He was a key figure as the club won the Belgian league title in 2023/24 and the Belgian Cup in 2024/25. He also reached the UEFA Europa Conference League semi-finals in 2023/24.
Brighton & Hove Albion (2025-Present):
In July 2025, De Cuyper joined Brighton & Hove Albion on a five-year deal for a reported £17.3 million. His debut season in the Premier League was a story of adaptation and competition. He started just 17 of 38 league games as Ferdi Kadioglu dominated the position. However, he made his mark with memorable performances, including becoming only the third player in Premier League history to assist two goals in the first five minutes of a match, in a 3-0 home win against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Belgium National Team (2024-Present):
De Cuyper made his senior debut for Belgium in a 2-0 win against Montenegro in June 2024. Since then, he has accumulated 25 caps and scored 4 goals. He was named in Rudi Garcia’s 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup and was Belgium’s only outfield player to reach the quarter-finals.
The Anatomy of His Game
Maxim De Cuyper is an attack-minded, technically gifted left-back known for his crossing ability, key passing, and relentless energy on the flank. Standing at 183 cm, he combines physical presence with technical proficiency.
In Possession:
De Cuyper is a creative force from full-back. In the 2025/26 Premier League season, he registered 2 goals and 3 assists in 30 appearances. His Expected Assists (xA) output was 1.97, and he created 16 chances in 769 minutes of Premier League football. He delivered 19 successful crosses with a 40.4% success rate. His key passes per 90 minutes (2.10) place him in the elite percentile among Premier League full-backs. He is also an effective dribbler with a 50% success rate.
Out of Possession:
De Cuyper is a committed defender. In the 2025/26 Premier League season, he recorded 24 tackles, 12 interceptions, and 29 clearances. He won 61 ground duels and 10 aerial duels. However, his aerial duel success rate of 31.2% represents an area for improvement. He has conceded 19 goals in 30 Premier League appearances, keeping 8 clean sheets.
Psychological Edge:
De Cuyper’s mental resilience is evident in his career trajectory. He has overcome competition for places at both club and international level, adapting to new leagues and tactical systems. His World Cup campaign—from starting on the bench to becoming Belgium’s standout player against the USA—demonstrates a player who thrives under pressure. “I had never experienced anything like this in my career,” he said of Belgium’s comeback against Senegal, a moment that galvanised the squad.
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: The Data Snapshot (2025/26 Season)
| Competition | Apps (Starts/Subs) | Minutes | Goals | Assists | Clean Sheets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premier League | 30 (17/13) | 1,414 | 2 | 3 | 8 |
| FA Cup | — | — | — | — | — |
| UEFA Champions League | — | — | — | — | — |
| FIFA World Cup | 5 | — | — | — | — |
| TOTAL | 35+ | 1,414+ | 2 | 3 | 8 |
TABLE B: Career Overview
| Season | Club | League/Competition | Apps | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-2025 | Club Brugge | Pro League | 74 | 6 | — |
| 2020-2021 | Club NXT | Belgian 1st Division B | 20 | 5 | — |
| 2021-2023 | Westerlo (loan) | Pro League | 64 | 15 | — |
| 2025-2026 | Brighton | Premier League | 30 | 2 | 3 |
| TOTAL | — | — | 188 | 28 | 3+ |
TABLE C: International Record
| Tournament/Competition | Apps | Goals | Major Honours |
|---|---|---|---|
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 5 | 0 | Quarter-Finals |
| World Cup Qualifying | 7 | 2 | — |
| UEFA Nations League | — | — | — |
| Belgium Senior Career | 25 | 4 | — |
TABLE D: Career Milestones
| Year | Achievement | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Professional Debut | vs Manchester United |
| 2021-2023 | Westerlo Loan | Promotion to Pro League |
| 2024 | Belgium Debut | vs Montenegro |
| 2024 | Belgian League Winner | Club Brugge |
| 2025 | Belgian Cup Winner | Club Brugge |
| 2025 | Brighton Transfer | £17.3M move |
| 2026 | World Cup Quarter-Final | Belgium squad |
What these figures reveal is a player who has developed rapidly through the Belgian football system. De Cuyper has accumulated 188 professional appearances and scored 28 career goals. His 25 caps for Belgium and 4 international goals underscore his importance to the national team. His debut season in the Premier League—2 goals, 3 assists, 8 clean sheets—demonstrates his ability to adapt to one of the world’s most demanding leagues.
The Present Tense
Maxim De Cuyper is 25 years old and at a pivotal moment in his career. He is a Brighton & Hove Albion player, a Belgium international, and a World Cup quarter-finalist.
The Brighton Story:
De Cuyper joined Brighton in July 2025 on a five-year deal. His debut Premier League season was a story of competition with Ferdi Kadioglu for the left-back position. He started 17 of 38 league games but made a significant impact, including a historic performance against Wolverhampton Wanderers where he assisted two goals in the first five minutes. He is under contract until 2030 and is expected to compete for the starting role in the 2026/27 season, with the addition of Europa Conference League fixtures providing extra opportunities.
The World Cup Campaign:
De Cuyper was named in Rudi Garcia’s 26-man Belgium squad for the 2026 World Cup. He started on the bench in Belgium’s opening group game against Egypt but came on in the second half and has started every match since. He played a key role in Belgium’s stunning 4-1 victory over co-hosts USA in the Round of 16. Belgium reached the quarter-finals, where they faced Spain.
International Record:
De Cuyper has 25 caps for Belgium and 4 international goals. He has been a regular presence in the national team since his debut in 2024 and is considered a key player for the future.
Injury Status:
De Cuyper is currently listed as sidelined with an injury sustained in April 2026, though he was able to participate in the World Cup. He has had a number of minor injury issues over the past two seasons.
Beyond the Touchline
Off the pitch, Maxim De Cuyper is defined by his relentless energy and attacking philosophy. He models his game on Marcelo, the legendary Brazilian left-back, and has spoken openly about the need to improve his decision-making in the final third. “I still need to make better decisions and sometimes make life easier for myself,” he admitted during the World Cup.
His parents are reportedly farmers. He is under contract with Brighton until 2030 and has a market value estimated at €22M–€24.8M. He is represented by E&L Consulting.
The Verdict from the Camp
Maxim De Cuyper, Belgium full-back:
“I had never experienced anything like this in my career, such an outpouring of emotions and feelings. I was overjoyed. I wasn’t completely exhausted yet, I still had enough juice to sprint and celebrate Youri Tielemans’ equaliser. The situation seemed so badly engaged. We managed to turn things around.”
Bastian Schweinsteiger, former Germany and Bayern Munich midfielder:
“De Cuyper was the standout player on the pitch for me. In the end, a well-deserved 4-1, because Belgium consistently punished every uncertainty from the Americans.”
Statistic:
De Cuyper has 25 caps for Belgium with 4 international goals.
Statistic:
De Cuyper assisted two goals in the first five minutes of a Premier League match, becoming only the third player in history to do so.
Statistic:
De Cuyper was Brighton's only outfield representative in the World Cup quarter-finals.
Where Next?
Maxim De Cuyper is 25 years old and has proven his quality on the Premier League and World Cup stages. He is under contract with Brighton until 2030 and is expected to compete for the starting left-back position in the 2026/27 season. The addition of Europa Conference League fixtures will provide extra opportunities for rotation. His World Cup performances have elevated his profile, and he is considered one of Belgium’s most promising full-backs.
For Belgium, he represents the future. With 25 caps already secured, he is expected to be a key figure for the national team in the coming years. His attacking output and defensive commitment make him a valuable asset for both club and country.
From Knokke-Heist to the Premier League, from Club Brugge to the World Cup, Maxim De Cuyper’s journey is one of talent, resilience, and attacking flair. The boy who modelled his game on Marcelo has become a Red Devil and a Premier League star—and his story is only beginning.
