He was a player with a sober playing style, characterised by commitment and fighting spirit.
Paul van Himst allowed him his debut in the fall, after the 1994 World Cup and he was selected by national team manager Georges Leekens for the World Cup in France. He played every match at the European Championships in 2000 and had a big part in the qualification for the World Cup in Japan and South Korea. He scored in the home match against the Czech Republic and contributed to qualification, when a foul was committed against him in the penalty area in the return match. Wilmots scored the penalty and Belgium qualified for the World Cup.