Overview
Henri Dirickx (born Hendrik Paul "Rie" Diricx; 7 July 1927 – 4 July 2018) was a Belgian footballer best known for his steady presence in defence and for representing Belgium during the 1950s. Born in Duffel, he made his mark at club level with Union Saint-Gilloise and earned regular selection for the national side across much of the decade.
Club career and playing style
Dirickx spent the most prominent years of his club career with Union Saint-Gilloise, one of Belgium’s historic teams. As a defender he was known for reliability, positional awareness and consistency rather than flamboyant play. Contemporary reports and later summaries describe him as a pragmatic, team-oriented player who contributed to defensive stability and helped organize play from the back.
International career
Dirickx won 30 caps for the Belgium national team between 1952 and 1960. He was selected for the Belgian squad at the 1954 FIFA World Cup and took part in the tournament, representing his country on football’s biggest stage. His international run covered friendly matches, qualifiers and major-tournament appearances during a period when Belgian football was rebuilding its postwar identity.
- Full name: Hendrik Paul "Rie" Diricx
- Born: 7 July 1927, Duffel
- Club: Union Saint-Gilloise (principal club association)
- National team: Belgium, 30 caps (1952–1960) — see national team records
- World Cup: Squad participant at the 1954 tournament (1954 FIFA World Cup)
Legacy and later life
Dirickx retired from top-level football many decades ago, but he remained a part of Belgian football history as one of the players who bridged the immediate postwar era and the modern international game. He died on 4 July 2018, three days before his 91st birthday. Obituaries and club records remember him for his service to Union Saint-Gilloise and for steady performances with the national side.
For additional context about Belgian football in the 1950s and profiles of players from that era, consult general histories and archive material on the sport. General overviews of football and tournament histories may provide further background: football overview and tournament summaries are useful starting points.