Dedryck Boyata had the chance on Monday to show what he could do on the biggest stage of all. He did this in front of his mentor, Vincent Kompany, the man he deputised for as Belgium began their 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ campaign with a 3-0 win over Panama.

In a journey that has been more than ten years in the making, the fates have conspired to take the two Brussels-born players from Belgium to Russia via England with Les Diables Rouges. And it was in Sochi that one of Belgian football’s prodigal sons pulled out all the stops under the appreciative gaze of a player he has always looked up to. “I’d rather keep to myself what Vincent had to say to me after my performance, but he really touched my heart,” said Boyata with a modesty reminiscent of 'Vinnie' himself.

Role model​ Privileged to have the support of a role model who has become a friend thanks to the time they spent together at Manchester City and in the national team, Boyata is now hoping to carve out his own little niche. And like any good mentor, Kompany wants nothing more than to see his protégé flourish.

“I learned to grow with him, but it’s important for me to make my own way and I’ve achieved my goal. He’s become just another team-mate,” explained Boyata, who at the age of 27 is intent on distinguishing himself from the player he most resembles.

An intended understudy in the centre of defence, the Celtic player has found himself in the starting line-up on account of injuries to Kompany and Thomas Vermaelen. And the surprise guest did everything he could against Panama in an effort to hold on to the position. “I’m pleased with my performance and with that of the Belgium team as a whole,” said Boyata. “It was my first World Cup match and I had to keep my emotions in check. It was a real performance.”

As much of a competitor as Kompany, he displayed the same calm and intensity in dispatching his duties between Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld on Monday. Similar in stature to the Manchester City captain (at 6'2" (1.88m) he stands only slightly shorter), Boyata will always find the comparisons hard to shake off, even if he is making a valiant effort to chart his own course.