Tottenham Hotspur defender Toby Alderweireld was born in Antwerp and there’s a good possibility he could end his playing career in his place of birth by joining Royal Antwerp sometime in the near future.
Spurs faced the Belgian side in the Europa League group stage last season, and the 32-year-old ended up an unused substitute in both the fixtures.
Sport/Voetbalmagazine had a detailed chat with the defender and during the course of the interview, he was asked about his thoughts on José Mourinho leaving him on the bench against Antwerp.
“I’m a team player, but in my head, it was war. It always is when I’m not playing. I don’t want to make this all bigger than it is, but I know where I’m coming from. From Ekeren. Then playing football in Antwerp is special. I had never played in my own city. Anyway, the trainer decided otherwise,” he said.
Last October, the centre-back’s father, Vic, admitted the Tottenham player is constructing a house in Ekern, which will be ready in 2023, also advising his son to return to Antwerp.
Alderweireld’s new house will be ready when his contract with the north London club expires in 2023, and while the player refused to discuss the possibility of joining Royal Antwerp, he did suggest he won’t extend his stay with the Premier League beyond his current deal.
“I’ve always said—whether that’s [building house in Kapellen] smart or stupid, I don’t know—that I’ll return for my children,” Alderweireld explained.
“Then my daughter will be five [in 2023]. I would like her to start first grade. That’s where you start to get boyfriends and girlfriends, the regulars. I think it is important that we give her and her brother a normal childhood in Belgium.”
“They may be called son or daughter of at first, but that dust will settle. And then we will live as normal as possible. Also, in education. I want them to be happy. To be a real child. Without worries.”
