It appears that Eden Hazard is Belgium’s chosen captain for the foreseeable future. Manchester City’s Vincent Kompany wore the armband previously but had to relinquish it due to a string of injuries that have plagued his career in the last few years. Even though he’s now back to fitness and back in the national team (after more than a year’s absence), Belgium manager Roberto Martinez will retain Hazard as his captain, according to HLN.
Vincent Kompany returns in the Belgium squad, but this man stays captain. #cfc #mcfc pic.twitter.com/q3QVG7f9Ir
— Kristof Terreur (@HLNinEngeland) May 30, 2017
Hazard first received the honor in June 2015 when he was named vice-captain and wore the armband against France when Kompany picked up a suspension. A year later, Hazard had it again for the European Championships when the defender was ruled out of the tournament with an injury.
Hazard may not be a typical vocal leader like John Terry, but he’s slowly grown into a leadership role for both club and country.
"It's good for me to be the captain. But I can't be like John Terry. As captain, I don't talk too much. I try to talk with my feet on the pitch."
-Eden Hazard, November 2016; source: Evening Standard
Eden is joined by Chelsea teammates Thibaut Courtois and Michy Batshuayi in the Belgium squad called up for the friendly against the Czech Republic and the World Cup qualifier against Estonia coming up next weekend.
The squad in full:
Goalkeepers: Casteels, Courtois, Mignolet, Sels
Defenders: Alderweireld, Boyata, Ciman, Kompany, Vermaelen, Vertonghen
Midfielders: Carrasco, Chadli, De Bruyne, Dendoncker, Fellaini, Foket, T.Hazard, Nainggolan, Tielemans, Witsel
Forwards: Batshuayi, Benteke, E.Hazard, Lukaku, Mertens, Mirallas, Origi