Now retired, Dembele was asked why he didn't play more for Belgium during his career.
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He told So Foot: "What few people know is that in Tottenham I was in pain every day. I often received injections before matches, and theoretically the international breaks should allow me to rest, but I had to join the national team again.
"So in the end I never got my rest periods.
"I really wanted to play for Belgium and I loved it, but sometimes it was too much, with the travels and the many matches."
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