Arthur Theate, the new defender for Eintracht Frankfurt, is a 24-year-old Belgian player who idolizes Spanish World Cup and Euro-winning centre-backs Sergio Ramos and Carles Puyol. He has played with RB Leipzig’s Loïs Openda for Belgium at both youth and senior levels. His rise to success has been incredible, considering he was unemployed in 2020 after being kicked out of clubs. However, he managed to sign his first professional contract with KV Oostende after a successful trial.
Theate’s career started playing as a striker and left-winger but transitioned to left-back until he was told to play centre-back during a trial with Ostend. This move proved to be a turning point for him, leading to successful stints in Serie A with Bologna and Ligue 1 with Rennes. Theate has represented Belgium at the international level and was part of the squad for the 2022 World Cup and Euro 2024 due to his solid performances.
Despite not being the tallest centre-back at 6’0″, Theate is known for his controlled aggression and ability to handle larger opponents. He plays similarly to Lucas Hernández, showing versatility and combativeness. Theate prioritizes giving his all in every game and expects the same from his teammates. Known for his dedication and intensity, he has a strong will to win and acknowledges when his team falls short of expectations.
Theate has also shared the pitch with Loïs Openda for Belgium’s international youth teams and has roomed with cyclist Remco Evenepoel at the U16 level. He describes Evenepoel as a technical player with good positioning and intelligence. Theate values his experiences, such as being part of the 2022 World Cup squad with Belgium, even if he didn’t play, as invaluable learning opportunities. Former Belgium coach Roberto Martínez has praised Theate for his character, intensity, and liking for challenges on the field.
