Maxime De Cuyper

Maxime De Cuyper is a Belgian professional footballer who plays as a left-back or left wing-back for Club Brugge and the Belgium national team. Known for his overlapping runs, pinpoint crossing, and set-piece delivery, he has become one of the most promising full-backs in the Belgian Pro League. As of 2026, he is a regular starter in the UEFA Champions League and a key figure for the league champions, drawing attention from top European clubs.[edit]

Maxime De Cuyper grew up in the coastal town of Knokke-Heist in West Flanders. His father, Gino De Cuyper, was a Club Brugge legend and Belgian international, so football ran in the family. Maxime started at local club KV Oostende before joining the Club Brugge academy at a young age. He progressed through the youth ranks, captaining the reserve side Club NXT in the Challenger Pro League. His big break came in 2022 when he was loaned to KVC Westerlo. There, he transformed into an attacking force from left-back, scoring 6 goals and providing 15 assists to help Westerlo win promotion to the top flight. His performances earned him the Pro League Player of the Season award for the second division, a rare honor for a defender.[edit]

Returning to Club Brugge for the 2023-24 season, De Cuyper immediately claimed the starting left-back spot. He played a crucial role in winning the Belgian Pro League title, contributing goals and assists from defense. The following season, he made his UEFA Champions League debut and scored his first goal in the competition against a top-five league club. His consistent displays earned him a regular call-up to the Belgium national team under Domenico Tedesco, competing for a spot in the 2026 World Cup qualification campaign. As of 2026, he remains a vital part of Club Brugge's squad, with rumors linking him to Premier League and Serie A clubs.[edit]

De Cuyper is known as a modern, attack-minded full-back who loves to overlap and deliver accurate crosses. Belgian media praise his professionalism and football intelligence, often calling him a homegrown talent who earned his place through hard work. He is a composed penalty taker and a threat from dead-ball situations. Fans of Club Brugge, known as Blauw-Zwart, have embraced him as one of their own. On social media, he posts match highlights, training clips, and personal moments with his girlfriend, projecting a family-oriented and dedicated image.[edit]

Maxime De Cuyper has built a reputation as a rising star whose appeal is deeply rooted in his tactical brilliance rather than celebrity spectacle. His supporters are primarily the devoted followers of Club Brugge and Brighton & Hove Albion, along with the broader Belgian national team faithful who have watched him evolve from a domestic prospect into an international fixture. Unlike global pop icons who cultivate organized cult followings with specific names and rituals, De Cuyper's fanbase operates through standard athletic appreciation. There is no formal organization dedicated solely to him, nor are there documented fan-funded projects or viral cultural phenomena surrounding his name. His social media presence remains professional, sharing match highlights and personal moments without the large-scale engagement seen in celebrity circles. The narrative around him is defined by on-pitch performance, such as his decisive assists against Wolves and his steady progression during the 2026 World Cup campaign. While he holds the official title of Belgian Red Court Ambassador, this role stems from the Royal Belgian Football Association rather than any grassroots fan movement. Despite his growing market value and high-profile transfer to England, the story of Maxime De Cuyper remains one of a serious athlete earning respect through consistency rather than a distinct fandom culture. As of August 2026, iFANN has evaluated Maxime De Cuyper but he does not currently hold a placement in the published Global Top 1,000 rankings; the fanbase has no formal name.[edit]

Maxime De Cuyper is a set-piece specialist who frequently handles corners and free kicks for his club. Despite the shadow of his father's fame, he remains determined to forge his own path and is considered a late bloomer who only secured a first-team regular spot at age 23. He carries several tattoos, including one on his forearm dedicated to his family, and maintains a love for spaghetti bolognese as his favorite food. An avid NBA fan, he often follows basketball closely alongside his football career. Recent years have seen him transition from a promising domestic talent to an international figure, notably joining Brighton & Hove Albion in July 2025 for a reported €20.2 million. His participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup squad marked a significant milestone, particularly during the group stage match against Iran. In May 2026, he was officially named a Belgian Red Court Ambassador, signaling his growing influence within the national federation. These verified events highlight his steady ascent, though stories of massive crowd disruptions or viral cultural phenomena remain absent from his narrative so far.[edit]

Maxime De Cuyper is the son of Gino De Cuyper, a former Belgian international who won multiple league titles with Club Brugge. His father has been his biggest mentor. Maxime has a close relationship with his parents and often credits them for his grounded personality. He currently lives in the Bruges area with his girlfriend, Yentl Van Driessche. The couple does not have children as of 2026.[edit]

De Cuyper is the son of Gino De Cuyper, a Club Brugge legend and former Belgian international. He plays under manager Nicky Hayen at Club Brugge, alongside teammates like Hans Vanaken and Andreas Skov Olsen. On the national team, he is coached by Domenico Tedesco.[edit]

Maxime De Cuyper has been in a public relationship with Yentl Van Driessche since at least 2023. Yentl is a Belgian fitness model and influencer who regularly attends his matches and shares their life on social media. The couple is not married and has no children. Before Yentl, De Cuyper kept his dating life private, with no confirmed previous relationships reported in the media. As of 2026, he is still dating Yentl.[edit]

Per iFANN's editorial analysis, Maxim De Cuyper's net worth is estimated at $3 Million as of 2026. This financial standing reflects his primary income stream derived from his contract with Club Brugge, where he commands an annual salary of approximately €1 million. Additional earnings accumulate through performance bonuses linked to league titles and appearances in the UEFA Champions League. His commercial portfolio includes endorsement deals with Nike and select local Belgian brands. Beyond his professional earnings, he owns a property located in the Bruges area. Since breaking into the first team, his net worth has shown consistent growth, with projections suggesting a potential significant increase should he secure a transfer to another top European league.[edit]

De Cuyper won the Pro League Player of the Season award for the Challenger Pro League in 2023, a rare honor for a defender. He also won the Belgian Pro League title with Club Brugge in 2024 and the Belgian Super Cup in 2024.[edit]