Rik De Saedeleer (17 January 1924 – 3 March 2013) was a Belgian footballer, columnist and television sports commentator.
Playing career De Saedeleer played the majority of his career at hometown club Racing Mechelen with whom he was runner-up in the 1951–52 Belgian First Division and was once called up for the Belgium national team for a 1949 friendly match against a squad made up of London-based professionals.
Media career After retiring as a player, De Saedeleer wanted to be a football coachRik De Saedeleer (87) over zijn carrière en de Rode Duivels - HUMO but instead became columnist at Het Laatste Nieuws and Belgium's best known football commentator, reporting from several World Cups. He was known for his emotional and humorous reports.Rik, de dertiende man van de Rode Duivels - Het Laatste Nieuws He retired after the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France.
He died on 3 March 2013 after spending most of his final years in hospital. He was survived by his wife and two daughters.Rik De Saedeleer overleden - Het Laatste Nieuws
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References
External links Kort portret Rik De Saedeleer (bio) - Het Laatste Nieuws