Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne has hailed the current crop of Belgian players as the best in the country's history.

Belgium are amongst the favourites to win this summer's World Cup in Russia, despite having only made it to the quarter-finals on two previous occasions, with their best-ever finish coming when they reached the semis in 1986.

Roberto Martinez's side boast the likes of De Bruyne, Eden Hazard and Romelu Lukaku in their ranks - in addition to a number of other top European players - and will be expected to go far in the competition this time around.

However, De Bruyne is wary of the threat of fatigue, and praised club boss Pep Guardiola for trying to limit that for his players throughout the season.

"It is important to have enough rest. Believe me: for the players at the top clubs, it is very important. If we reach the second round of the World Cup, I would have played from July 2017 till July 2018. Without stopping," he is quoted as saying by The Mirror.

"Happily, Pep Guardiola is a coach who realises the workload of his players. From time to time, he gives us several days off. And a very light training programme. Since the start of the season, we have often had recovery sessions of 30-45 minutes. The most important thing will be to be fresh at the start of the World Cup. I hope that will be the case but I cannot promise anything.

"This is the best team in the history of Belgium. There are several players over 30. This is the time to profit. Only by wanting the first prize can you win the first prize."

Belgium have been drawn in a group alongside England, Panama and Tunisia for this summer's tournament.