Vormer: 'I could have gone to Saudi Arabia, but I didn't do it'

Vormer had the opportunity to cash in in Saudi Arabia, like many others, but he declined. He is no longer interested in a foreign adventure.

"Three years ago, I could have gone to Saudi Arabia. I didn't do it, although I must honestly add that I had received a new contract at Club Brugge," Vormer tells Humo.

"Sometimes it's all a bit… complicated. I'm now 35 years old, it's been good. When you go to Saudi Arabia, you go purely for the money. Sometimes you have to be happy with what you have. I also earn well now. (...) Of course, you go for the money. Anyone who says otherwise is talking nonsense. I'm going to Dubai for the sport. Yeah, right! To earn money, yes. Just be honest."

Vormer chose Zulte Waregem after leaving Club Brugge through the back door after 8.5 years. His playing time there was diminishing. "But I did think about stopping, you know. I wasn't playing at Club, and I found that quite difficult. Just sit quietly, I thought: finish the contract and stop, done. Until Jelle (teammate Vossen, ed.) warmed me up for Zulte Waregem: nice club, give it a try. I came here in January. Good plan, attractive financial picture. I immediately got that nice feeling again. The joy of football was back, despite the relegation."

Although Vormer cherishes his time at Club Brugge, he seems to have little feeling for the club now. Under coach Philippe Clement, Vormer lost his starting position. "The day before our home game against PSG, we were on the training field and I got a bib, the starters didn't. That was a slap in my face because I knew: I wouldn't play. I was so angry: what is this, man?! After training, I immediately sent a message to Roos (his wife, ed.): what should I do? Don't go to him, she replied. Well, I did exactly that. I ran up to his office and let it all out. He tried to explain, but it was no use: it didn't get through to me anymore. I was beside myself. Since then, I was allowed to play less and less. The choices of a coach, right?"

"It took some time," said Vormer about his departure. "It could have been nicer, but that's just how it works. Football is a harsh world. At home, I often talk about it with Roos. Then she says: look at what the club has given you, where we live. Don't dwell on it too long, that's the best. Of course, I did for a while. But now I look back on it positively."

Which players will Kompany be without in Berlin?

After the exhausting match in Paris, Bayern continue against Union Berlin. And Vincent Kompany once again has to find solutions.

French club emerges as the favorite for the loan

Real Madrid are preparing to loan out Endrick in January, with Lyon emerging as the frontrunner. The striker seeks regular minutes to regain form ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Kimmich on a BVB quality that has been added

In the top match between Bayern and Borussia Dortmund, Joshua Kimmich would like to make a statement, but he also highlights a new quality in the opponent.

Athletic find in Adama Boiro a full-back with hunger and patience

Adama Boiro, the young Senegalese full-back who grew up in Pamplona, is steadily making his mark at Athletic Club.

FIFA cannot solve geopolitical problems

FIFA president Gianni Infantino said the organization “cannot solve geopolitical problems” amid growing calls for Israel to be suspended from international football due to the Gaza conflict. While the UN and several federations demand action, Infantino insists FIFA’s mission is to unite people through football, leaving responsibility to UEFA.

'Mister Bundesliga' Gouweleeuw misses a match again after two years

Jeffrey Gouweleeuw will have to watch from the sidelines at FC Augsburg for the time being. A knee injury forces the Dutch captain of the German club to take a break for now.

The question for Werner: Who will replace Schlager and Nusa?

On Saturday, RB Leipzig will host 1. FC Köln and aim for a third consecutive victory. However, the Saxons will have to replace two key players. Timo Werner is likely to be in the squad.

Haaland can’t sleep because of former club

Erling Haaland is deeply unhappy with the current situation at Bryne FK, the first club of the Norwegian striker. On social media, Haaland criticized the present state of his former team, where he spent his entire youth development.

Tottenham Hotspur disgusted by online racism after Tel miss: ‘Anonymous cowards’

Tottenham Hotspur have spoken out, a day after the UEFA Super Cup, against the racist abuse directed at Mathys Tel on social media. The forward, like Micky van de Ven, missed a penalty in the shootout.

Darwin moves to Saudi Arabia for half of what he cost

Darwin Núñez is set to join Al Hilal for €53 million, just three years after Liverpool paid up to €100 million for the striker. The transfer marks a financial loss for the Premier League champions, while Benfica receives €530,000 through FIFA’s solidarity mechanism.

Bozeník finds shelter in the Championship after Boavista's downfall

Róbert Bozeník continues his career in the Championship. The former Feyenoord striker has signed a three-year deal with Stoke City, which is taking the 25-year-old Slovak over from Boavista.

Vázquez says goodbye to Real Madrid: 'A lifelong dream fulfilled'

The Lucas Vázquez era at Real Madrid has come to an end. On Thursday, the player bid an emotional farewell to the club he served for sixteen years, winning 23 trophies along the way.

Arsenal announce Danish midfielder as new signing

Arsenal have signed Danish international Christian Nørgaard from Brentford. The experienced midfielder joins after six Premier League seasons, bringing leadership and tactical intelligence to Arteta’s squad ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

AS Monaco unveil Fati and Pogba: no revenge, but big dreams ahead

AS Monaco unveiled two remarkable signings on Thursday: Ansu Fati and Paul Pogba. Two players with scars, who now hope to shine once again in the principality as they once did.

Modric to leave Real Madrid after Club World Cup: 'I leave with a full heart'

Luka Modric confirms his departure from Real Madrid after 13 legendary seasons. The 39-year-old midfield icon will bid farewell at the Bernabéu before finishing his career with the Club World Cup. A tribute to one of the game's all-time greats.

Top Countries

Around the web

Cristiano Ronaldo: Winning the World Cup is not a dream

Cristiano Ronaldo gave an interview to journalist Piers Morgan, and the second part was released on Thursday afternoon.

Kroes over coffee with Ten Hag and the search for the new coach

Ajax must look for a new head coach after the dismissal of John Heitinga. Technical director Alex Kroes, who will remain in place for now, talks about that search.

Le Normand suffers a high-grade injury to the posterior capsule of his left knee

Atlético confirm a high-grade posterior capsular injury and semimembranosus involvement in Robin Le Normand’s left knee, with ligaments and meniscus intact. The centre back begins rehab immediately as Atlético adjust tactics and personnel while his recovery timeline depends on progress.

De Zerbi furious: The rules in Madrid are different than in Marseille

Olympique Marseille feels robbed. The French club lost to Atalanta on Wednesday night in the Champions League. Marseille coach Roberto De Zerbi felt that his team should have been awarded a penalty just before the winning goal was scored.

Messi says he 'was not well' in Paris

Lionel Messi, who recently renewed his contract with Inter Miami, attended the American Business Forum in Miami and received the city’s golden key at an event that brought together political leaders, business executives and sports figures. Donald Trump and Gianni Infantino, among others, were present at the ceremony.

Double boost for Slot ahead of the clash against Man City

Alexander Isak could possibly make his return for Liverpool in Sunday’s top match against Manchester City. In addition, coach Arne Slot is close to having goalkeeper Alisson back.

Amorim responds to Ronaldo: He knows that everything he says has enormous impact

Rúben Amorim has responded to Cristiano Ronaldo’s statements. The forty-year-old forward had said he did not expect the Manchester United manager to perform miracles. We have made many mistakes in the past and we are trying to correct them.

After Haaland, the next Man City star finally rises: He is back!

On Wednesday night, Phil Foden stepped up for Manchester City. In recent weeks, it had looked like a one-man show at the English giants, with Erling Haaland carrying the lion’s share of the goal scoring. But in the Champions League against Borussia Dortmund, Foden let his feet do the talking once again.

Pellegrini suggests applying a basketball rule to football: It would be more dynamic

The Betis coach suggested applying to football a rule that already exists in basketball, under which a team that moves the ball into the opponent’s half cannot play it back into its own half or it would be penalized.

Record start beckons: Kompany on Guardiola’s heels

If Bayern also win on Saturday against Union Berlin, they will match the record start with their tenth Bundesliga victory. That record is held by Bayern from the 2015/16 season under Pep Guardiola.