Kevin De Bruyne hopes Raheem Sterling is acknowledged appropriately for his performances at the World Cup.
The Manchester City team-mates may face off Saturday as Belgium play England for a second time at the tournament in the third-place playoff in St. Petersburg.
Neither player was involved during the first meeting between the sides as both managers elected to rest their stars ahead of important knockout matches.
De Bruyne has obviously had his attention focused on Belgium’s progress through the tournament, but does not understand why Sterling receives the criticism he does.
"I don't understand why you should criticise the people of your own country because, in the end, all they are trying to do is win," he said.