Belgium manager Roberto Martinez believes that his star midfielder Kevin De Bruyne is "underrated" by many pundits.

While De Bruyne earns plaudits for his performances at club level, he has been a peripheral figure for Belgium in the World Cup so far.

But Martinez believes that he plays a vital role in the team that his teammates and coaching staff very much appreciate.

"His role in our team has been underrated," Martinez told Goal.

"Maybe because at club level he's always at the end of an assist or at the end of a goal and then it's easy to bring a highlight out of Kevin De Bruyne.

"I think Kevin De Bruyne's influence in our team has been a lot deeper; a little bit earlier, allowing his team to have the influence that we have in the final third and being a real playmaker for us."