Maxim De Cuyper
An attacking left-back with a winger's past — dangerous left-foot delivery, goals from deep and constant running down the flank.
Playing Style Summary
De Cuyper is an attack-minded left-back who developed as a wide midfielder, which still shows in his output. A Club Brugge academy graduate, he scored 15 goals in two loan seasons at Westerlo before establishing himself at Brugge and in the Belgium team, where he has scored four goals. Brighton signed him on a five-year contract in July 2025. His left foot, overlapping runs and willingness to attack the box make him a genuine attacking outlet from full-back.
Defining Traits
Left-Foot Delivery
Whips crosses and cut-backs from the left with pace and accuracy, and is a set-piece option.
Goal Threat from Full-Back
His background as a wide midfielder means he arrives in scoring positions — he has scored repeatedly for Belgium from left-back.
Overlapping Engine
Repeatedly overlaps the winger to create two-v-one situations, with the stamina to keep making those runs late in games.
Wing-Back Profile
Equally comfortable as a wing-back in a back three, holding the width on his own on the left.
Strengths
- High-quality crossing and cut-backs with his left foot
- Goal threat unusual for a defender
- Repeated overlapping and underlapping runs
- Versatility between left-back, wing-back and left midfield
- Set-piece delivery
Limitations
- Defensive positioning can be exposed when caught high in transition
- Less dominant in one-v-one defending against powerful, quick wingers
- Can be targeted in aerial duels at the back post
More Belgium players
See the full squad →
Joaquin Seys
“Club Brugge's homegrown left-back — strong on the ball, eager to attack, and already experienced in the Champions League.”
Kevin De Bruyne
“The most complete midfielder of his generation — half-space controller, vision machine, the engine of Guardiola's Manchester City and now Napoli's creative reference.”
Amadou Onana
“A 1.95m midfield enforcer who covers huge ground, wins duels and drives forward — Aston Villa's physical shield in front of the defence.”
Youri Tielemans
“Belgium's captain — a complete midfielder who controls tempo, breaks lines with his passing and strikes from distance in the biggest games.”
Hans Vanaken
“Club Brugge's tall, unhurried conductor — a ball-retaining number ten who passes calmly under pressure, arrives to score and has defined a decade of Belgian football.”
Nicolas Raskin
“An energetic, combative midfielder who links defence and attack for Rangers — quick to press, tidy on the ball and increasingly productive in the opponent's box.”
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