Dries Mertens is urging his Belgium teammates to focus on their first World Cup game against Algeria on June 17.
Marc Wilmots’ outfit have been drawn in Group H for the tournament alongside the African nation, Russia and the Korea Republic.
And the Napoli midfielder has insisted that that first game in Belo Horizonte will be vital.
Dries Mertens is urging his Belgium teammates to focus on their first World Cup game against Algeria on June 17.
Marc Wilmots’ outfit have been drawn in Group H for the tournament alongside the African nation, Russia and the Korea Republic.
And the Napoli midfielder has insisted that that first game in Belo Horizonte will be vital.
“We are all working really hard because we know the World Cup will not be a party,” he told reporters.
“It’s a competition that needs to be taken seriously and honoured. That first game is going to be crucial.
“Mentally, it would be a big boost if we could win it. It doesn’t matter whether I start or someone – the team is what counts.”
The 27-year-old then went on to comment on his first season in Italian football.
“We won the Coppa Italia, which was really important for us. For a new team, winning right away is vital.
“In the League, there was nothing we could do about Juventus” data-scaytid=”14″>Juventus. To have secured 102 points is amazing.”