Player explains how he fell out with manager at Everton – Brought end to his national team career

Former Everton forward Kevin Mirallas has detailed how a fall out with Roberto Martinez ultimately ended his international career.

Mirallas was a regular for Belgium after making is debut at 19 under Rene Vandereycken in August 2007.

He went on to make 60 appearances in total for his country, even playing in the 2014 World Cup, as Belgium made it to the quarter finals before a defeat to Argentina.

His last appearance came all the way back in 2018, though, when he made an 11-minute appearance in the 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia.

He found international call ups hard to come by after Roberto Martinez was appointed in August 2016 following his sacking at Everton.

Mirallas had endured something of a fractious relationship with the Spaniard during his time in charge at Goodison Park and he says he knew it would mean an end to his international career.

“I remember well the day we heard he was going to be the new national coach,” he told Het Laatste Nieuws.

“Just before a practice match with Everton against Man United, Lukaku came to tell me that Martínez had been appointed. I said: ‘Romelu, for me it will soon be over in the national team with him as coach.’

“Martínez was not honest with me. Initially, he couldn’t help but select me because I was doing well at my club. But I knew he would not keep calling me up.”