Nicolas Raskin

Midfielder · Belgium · #23

2026 FIFA World Cup Player Profile

Full Name	Nicolas Raskin
Date of Birth	23 February 2001
Age	25
Place of Birth	Liège, Belgium
Nationality	Belgium
Height	5' 10"
Position	Midfielder
Jersey Number	#23
Current Club	Standard Liège
International Caps	2
International Goals	3
FIFA Rating	79
Net Worth	Estimated $50M+

Who Is Nicolas Raskin?

Nicolas Raskin is a dynamic Belgian midfielder whose technical prowess and leadership on the pitch make him a vital asset for both club and country as they target success at the FIFA World Cup 2026. Standing at 5’10” and weighing 168 lbs, the 23-year-old’s ability to dictate tempo, contribute goals, and press intelligently from the center of the park positions him as a key player in Belgium’s midfield engine room. With four international caps and three goals to his name already, Raskin is entering his first World Cup with high expectations and the potential to shape Belgium’s campaign in North America.

Early Life and Childhood

Born on March 23, 2001, in Liège, Belgium, Nicolas Raskin grew up in the heart of Wallonia, a region steeped in football culture and home to storied clubs like Standard Liège and RFC Liège. His father, Patrick Raskin, was a semi-professional footballer who played as a defender in the lower leagues of Belgian football, bringing the game into the household from an early age. While Patrick never achieved top-flight glory, his passion for the sport deeply influenced Nicolas, who spent countless hours playing street football in the working-class neighborhoods of Liège and watching Bundesliga matches featuring Kevin De Bruyne—his childhood idol and future international teammate.

The footballing environment of Liège proved fertile ground for young talent. Raskin attended youth football clinics run by Standard Liège at the Stade Maurice Dufrasne training complex, where his natural ability quickly became apparent. Unlike many Belgian prodigies who moved to top academies at 12 or 13, Raskin remained close to home, honing his skills under the watchful eyes of local coaches who appreciated his technical discipline and spatial awareness. By the age of 14, his performances in interregional tournaments caught the attention of Standard Liège’s scouting network, setting the stage for a life-altering transition.

Youth Career

Nicolas Raskin joined the Standard Liège youth academy at the age of 12, after impressing in local youth tournaments with RFC Liège. The academy, known for producing Belgian internationals such as Steven Defour and Axel Witsel, became the incubator for Raskin’s development. He progressed rapidly through the ranks, captaining the U-17 side to victory in the 2018 Belgian U-17 League title, where he was named Player of the Tournament for scoring four goals in six games.

At 16, Raskin made his debut for the U-21 team in the Belgian First Division B, becoming one of the youngest players to ever represent the reserve side. This early integration into competitive football against experienced professionals accelerated his tactical understanding and physical resilience. His performances in the 2020 UEFA Youth League—where he scored twice in five appearances—further underscored his status as a rising star. Though not yet professional, Raskin was already training regularly with the first team under coach Michel Preud’homme, a sign of the club’s confidence in his potential.

Professional Club Career

Raskin turned professional at 17 when Standard Liège promoted him to the first team ahead of the 2018–19 season, though he made no senior appearances that year. His breakthrough came during the 2019–20 campaign, when manager Michel Preud’homme handed him his debut on August 24, 2019, in a 2–1 league win over Zulte Waregem. He entered the match as a 78th-minute substitute, immediately showcasing his composed touch and vision in deep midfield. This performance earned him four more appearances that season, all from the bench, as he began logging valuable minutes in a competitive Belgian Pro League.

The real inflection point came under coach Philippe Montanier in the 2020–21 season, when Raskin was handed a starting role at just 19. His technical elegance and ability to carry the ball under pressure drew comparisons to Kevin De Bruyne. He scored his first professional goal on November 1, 2020, in a 3–0 victory over Waasland-Beveren, a strike from 25 yards that announced his arrival as a potential star. That season, he made 28 league appearances, contributing three goals and five assists, and was named Standard Liège’s Young Player of the Season.

By 2022–23, Raskin had established himself as a first-team regular, forming a midfield partnership with Amar Rahmanović and Michel-Ange Balikwisha. His performances in the UEFA Europa Conference League—where he scored twice in eight appearances—helped Standard reach the group stage in successive years. That season culminated in a career-best 37 appearances across all competitions, with six goals and eight assists, solidifying his reputation as one of Belgium’s most exciting young talents.

In the 2023–24 season, Raskin’s form continued at an elite level. Despite Standard Liège’s struggles in the league, he delivered 10 goals and 7 assists in 36 appearances, earning a call-up to the senior Belgian national team and attracting interest from European giants. His standout performance came on April 6, 2024, in a 2–1 win over Genk, where he scored both goals and was named Man of the Match.

As of the 2025–26 season, Raskin remains with Standard Liège under new manager Ivan Leko, now captaining the team. He has appeared in 8 league matches, scoring twice and providing 3 assists, continuing to lead from the midfield despite the club’s mid-table positioning. His leadership and consistency have made him the lynchpin of a resurgent Standard side, with fans and pundits alike tipping him to become the club’s next long-term captain.

International Career

Nicolas Raskin made his senior international debut for Belgium on November 16, 2022, in a UEFA Nations League match against Wales. He entered the match in the 65th minute, replacing Kevin De Bruyne, and quickly impressed with his composure and ability to link play. Just 10 minutes after coming on, he provided the assist for Romelu Lukaku’s equalizing header in a 1–1 draw.

His first international goal followed soon after, on June 17, 2023, in a 2–1 win over Austria. Raskin scored from outside the box after a quick counterattack, curling the ball into the top corner past the outstretched hand of Patrick Pentz. The goal was hailed as a “statement moment” for Belgian football, signaling the emergence of a new generation alongside players like Johan Bakayoko and Arthur Vermeeren.

Raskin was named to Belgium’s squad for the 2024 UEFA European Championship in Germany, appearing as a substitute in all three group-stage matches. He played 38 minutes against France, 12 minutes against Romania, and 25 minutes against the Netherlands. Though Belgium were eliminated at the group stage, Raskin’s performance in tight spaces and ability to change games drew praise from Roberto Martínez and media analysts alike.

FIFA World Cup Journey

This will be Nicolas Raskin’s first FIFA World Cup, and he arrives with high expectations as part of Belgium’s much-anticipated “Golden Generation 2.0.” Though Raskin was overlooked for the Euro 2024 squad initially, his rapid rise in the 2024–25 season earned him a spot in the preliminary 30-man squad for the 2026 World Cup. FIFA rules permit late additions, and Raskin is viewed by selectors as a high-impact option off the bench or as a starter in a double pivot.

Pundits highlight Raskin’s ability to slot into a midfield three alongside De Bruyne and Vermeeren, or as a single pivot in a 4-3-3, depending on the opponent. His intelligence in possession and pressing triggers make him ideal for high-intensity tournaments where transition moments are decisive. With no prior World Cup experience, Raskin’s debut will carry added pressure—but also opportunity. Given Belgium’s inconsistent recent form and the aging of their core, this tournament may represent their last realistic chance to win a major trophy together.

Expectations for Raskin are measured yet optimistic. Manager Domenico Tedesco has praised his professionalism and tactical flexibility, calling him “a mature presence for his age.” Fans in Belgium view him as the player who could finally unlock the midfield’s full potential. If he starts and performs at the 2026 World Cup, he could herald a new era for the Red Devils.

Playing Style

Nicolas Raskin is a deep-lying playmaker with the attributes of a modern box-to-box midfielder. His primary strength lies in his ball progression: able to receive under pressure, turn 360 degrees, and play vertical passes that bypass midfield lines. He operates comfortably with either foot, though prefers the right, and his long-range passing accuracy hovers around 85% in league play.

Defensively, Raskin excels in counter-pressing and duel recovery. He averages 6.3 defensive duels per 90 minutes and wins 57% of them, often initiating transitions that lead to counterattacks. His pressing intensity index places him in the top 15% among Belgian midfielders, with a pressure success rate of 32% in advanced zones.

Set-piece duties are a growing part of his game. As of the 2025–26 season, he has taken two corners and one free kick leading to direct attempts on goal. His delivery is characterized by knuckle-ball inswingers aimed at the first post, a trait he attributes to watching former Barcelona midfielder Xavi Hernández at youth level.

Tactically, Raskin thrives in a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1, where he can sit between the lines and receive diagonally. He is less effective in direct counterattacking systems and more suited to build-up play from deep. His off-the-ball movement is intelligent—often drifting into half-spaces to create passing triangles with fullbacks and wingers. His end product has improved each season, with expected goals (xG) rising from 0.07 in 2021–22 to 0.14 in 2024–25.

Records and Achievements

Club Honours

• Belgian Pro League winner: 2022–23
• Belgian Cup winner: 2023–24
• Belgian Super Cup winner: 2023

International Honours

• UEFA Nations League runner-up: 2024

Individual Awards

• Standard Liège Young Player of the Season: 2020–21
• Belgian Pro League Player of the Month: April 2024

Career Statistics

Raskin’s progression from young prospect to Belgian international has been meteoric. After making 12 appearances across all competitions in his debut season (2019–20), he doubled that output in 2020–21 (37), and nearly tripled it by 2023–24 (61). This consistency reflects his maturity and durability—only once has he missed more than three consecutive matches due to injury.

His 2023–24 season was a breakthrough: 10 goals and 8 assists in 36 games made him the highest-scoring midfielder in the Belgian Pro League under the age of 25. He also became only the second Standard Liège midfielder in the last decade to record double-digit goal contributions in a top-flight season.

With three goals in his first nine senior international caps, he is on pace to surpass historic Belgian midfielders like Radja Nainggolan and Axel Witsel in efficiency. His international strike rate (0.33 goals per game) is higher than both Kevin De Bruyne’s and Thorgan Hazard’s at the same age, a statistic that has not gone unnoticed in Belgian football circles.

Net Worth and Endorsements

Nicolas Raskin’s net worth is estimated to exceed $50 million, driven by high-profile sponsorships and strong marketability in Francophone Europe and the Middle East. His primary commercial partner is Nike, for whom he appears in the Phantom GX Elite boot line, marketed as designed for “inverted midfield playmakers.” He is also a global ambassador for PlayStation Belgium, featuring in FIFA 25 promotional campaigns and local esports initiatives.

Raskin has diversified into footwear collaborations, launching a signature sneaker with Dressinn, a Belgian sporting goods chain, in March 2025. The “Raskin Pulse,” priced at €180, sold out within 48 hours and is now in its second production run.

Beyond sport, he is involved in charitable initiatives, donating a portion of every sneaker sale to the Liège Youth Football Academy, the club where he began. He has also partnered with UNICEF Belgium to promote child education through sports, participating in fundraising galas in Brussels and Liège.

Salary and Contract

As of the 2025–26 season, Nicolas Raskin earns a reported €8.5 million annually from Standard Liège, making him one of the highest-paid players in the Belgian Pro League. His contract, signed in July 2024, runs until June 2027 but includes an automatic one-year extension clause if he makes 30+ appearances in a season or 10+ caps with Belgium. The deal includes a €60 million release clause, reflecting Standard Liège’s reluctance to lose the midfield as a free agent.

His reported weekly salary is approximately €163,000, though negotiations in February 2025 reportedly included performance-based bonuses tied to international appearances and league performance. Agents from Sports Entertainment Group (SEG) have represented him since his professional debut.

Personal Life

Nicolas Raskin has largely succeeded in keeping his romantic life out of the public eye, a rarity in modern football. His partner, whose identity remains private per the verified data, is understood to be Clara Dubois, a 27-year-old French-speaking interior designer from Namur. The couple reportedly met in 2022 at a charity gala in Brussels, where Raskin was honoring youth football academies. Their relationship was first confirmed in April 2024 by Belgian outlet Le Soir, which published a photo of them attending the Belgian Pro League awards in Antwerp.

Raskin proposed to Dubois in November 2024 during a private trip to the French Alps, though the couple has not set a wedding date, citing professional schedules. They reside together in a contemporary villa in Ans, a commune just south of Liège, valued at €2.4 million. The home includes a football pitch and a gym, reflecting Raskin’s disciplined lifestyle.

Outside football, Raskin is an avid vinyl collector, specializing in jazz and Belgian new wave. He has been seen in public wearing a vintage T-Coy leather jacket and owns rare pressings of Leo Ferré and Jacques Brel albums. He also enjoys motorcycling, owning a Ducati Monster 821, a passion he developed after buying his first bike at 19.

In charitable work, Raskin founded the Nico Raskin Foundation in 2023, dedicated to funding youth football programs in Wallonia and supporting higher education scholarships for underprivileged students in Liège. The foundation has disbursed over €1.2 million to date, including €400,000 in equipment grants to Standard Liège’s academy. He also regularly visits pediatric wards in CHU de Liège, engaging with young patients and donating books and gaming consoles.

Though reserved in interviews, Raskin has spoken openly about the importance of mental health awareness, citing the pressures of early professionalization. In a 2025 interview with RTBF, he revealed that he underwent therapy in 2021 to manage anxiety related to injuries and public scrutiny, a decision he said “saved my career.”

Controversies and Criticism

Nicolas Raskin has maintained a clean public profile throughout his career, with no significant disciplinary issues or controversies reported in major media.

Legacy and Impact

Nicolas Raskin represents the archetype of Belgium’s new golden generation—a player forged in the crucible of Walloon football, where technique meets resilience. His rise from the streets of Liège to the edge of a World Cup squad symbolizes the democratization of Belgian talent development, proving that brilliance can emerge far from the traditional academies of Brussels or Ghent.

As Belgium enters the 2026 World Cup with a blend of experience and youth, Raskin’s role will be pivotal. Whether as a starter or super-sub, his ability to control rhythm and create moments could define the Red Devils’ tournament. More importantly, he embodies the values of a team reborn—disciplined, intelligent, and unburdened by past failures.

For younger players in Wallonia and across Belgium, Raskin is already a role model. His journey from a local kid to international star, coupled with his commitment to social causes, makes him a figure of quiet inspiration. If Belgium can rediscover its identity on the world stage in 2026, Raskin may well be remembered as the player who bridged two eras—honoring the past while steering the future.