Belgium playmaker, Kevin De Bruyne, has admitted he needs to rein in his frustrations at the 2022 World Cup.
The 31-year-old says sometimes his emotions got the better of him.
De Bruyne waved his arms in frustrations in the direction of coach Roberto Martinez in the first half of his country’s opening Group F match at the tournament in Qatar as Canada dominated the midfield exchanges.
He did not celebrate when Michy Batshuayi scored a counter-attack goal near the end of the first half that eventually ensured an unconvincing 1-0 win for Belgium on Wednesday.
“I do know that my reactions are not always good,” he said at a news conference on Friday.
“I also look for moments afterwards to find that peace but people know that it’s my way to help the team play better and get more out of the game.
“But of course, I also have to learn to react in a better way. Every now and then the emotions spill over but that’s also part of the game.”
The Manchester City midfielder said it was difficult to expect him to replicate his club form even if he wanted to do so on the World Cup stage.
“We can’t play in the same way as Manchester City. As a national team you have to adapt to the players you have around you. Does it frustrate me sometimes? Yes, but I should show that less although that is the perfection I strive for.”