Leo Van der Elst (born 7 January 1962) is a Belgian retired footballer who played mainly as a midfielder. He amassed Belgian Pro League totals of 406 games and 67 goals over the course of 15 seasons, mainly in representation of Antwerp, Club Brugge and Genk. His older brother, François, was also a professional footballer, and both were Belgian internationals.[1]

Leo Van der Elst
Van der Elst in 2012
Personal information
Date of birth (1962-01-07) 7 January 1962 (age 62)
Place of birth Opwijk, Belgium
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
HO Merchtem
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1979–1984 Antwerp 150 (25)
1984–1988 Club Brugge 123 (30)
1988 Metz 13 (1)
1988–1989 RKC 17 (1)
1989–1990 Charleroi 29 (1)
1990–1994 Genk 83 (10)
1994–1995 Eendracht Aalst 21 (1)
Total 436 (69)
International career
1984–1987 Belgium 13 (0)
Managerial career
1999–2000 Oostende
2002–2003 Eendracht Aalst
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Football career

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Van der Elst was born in Opwijk. During his career he played for Royal Antwerp FC, Club Brugge KV (where he often partnered namesake Franky, contributing with five goals in 30 games to the conquest of the 1987–88 edition of the Belgian First Division A), FC Metz, RKC Waalwijk, R. Charleroi SC, K.R.C. Genk and V.C. Eendracht Aalst 2002, retiring in 1995 at 33; subsequently, he began a coaching career.

Van der Elst earned 13 caps for Belgium and was selected, alongside Franky, to the 1986 FIFA World Cup. There, in the quarter-final clash against Spain, he scored the penalty shootout decider after the 1–1 in regulation time.[2]

Honours

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Club

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Club Brugge[3]

International

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Belgium

Individual

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References

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  1. ^ Scholten, Berend (11 January 2017). "Belgium mourns François Van der Elst". UEFA.com. Retrieved 7 February 2017.
  2. ^ "1–1: Buenas noches, España" [1–1: Good night, Spain]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). 23 June 1986. Retrieved 4 June 2014.
  3. ^ "Club Brugge | Palmares".
  4. ^ "Winnaars Brugse Metten".
  5. ^ "FIFA 1986 World Cup". Archived from the original on 5 June 2016.
  6. ^ "Homme de la saison belge".
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