Vertonghen wins, as first footballer, award called the Flemish Giant
SATURDAY, 11 JANUARY 2025, 21:04 - lajoya
OTHER Jan Vertonghen won the Flemish Giant yesterday. This annual award, presented by the Flemish Association of Sports Journalists, honors exceptional figure in the Flemish sports world. “Nice that the work of my Foundation also gets recognition this way,” he said.
“This is fantastic,” he told VTM's microphone. “I am standing here as a very proud Flemish, Belgian athlete. I just heard that I am the first soccer player to win this trophy. That makes it even more special. When you look at the list of honor, the red of shame comes a little bit to my cheeks, but I'm very proud to stand among these athletes.”
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Continue reading Since last year, the Flanders Giant has been looking not only at pure performance, but also at personality. Vertonghen also receives the award for his work with the Jan Vertonghen Foundation. “The Foundation is very close to my heart. I like to spend a lot of time on it. Last year we were able to do fantastic things again. There is still a lot in the pipeline. It's great that this also gets recognition here and not just the sporting counts.”
“Example for the youth”
“Vertonghen fits perfectly within the new philosophy of the Flemish Giant,” was the justification for giving Vertonghen the award. “With his great personality, leadership - even when he couldn't play at Anderlecht he had an impact on the team - and patriotism, he is an example for our footballing youth. Vertonghen also has impact off the field as the inspirer of the Jan Vertonghen Foundation, through which he wants to make sport and exercise accessible to children.”
Vertonghen succeeds cycling manager Patrick Lefevere.