Belgium manager Roberto Martinez has said Eden Hazard will continue to captain Belgium despite the return of Vincent Kompany.
Previously
a long-standing captain of his country, Kompany, 30, has not played for
Belgium since featuring in a Euro 2016 qualifying win against Israel on
Oct. 13 last year.
A groin injury ruled the Manchester City
defender out of the European Championship, leaving Hazard, 25, to lead
their nation in the final tournament.
Hazard has also worn the
captain’s armband in the initial stages of 2018 World Cup qualifying,
and though Kompany has now returned to the international fold, Martinez,
43, told media the Chelsea player will continue to do so.
“Let’s
go slowly with Vincent. Of course he wants to be captain, everyone wants
to have the honour of wearing the armband of the national team,”
Martinez, who was appointed in the summer, said.
“But
Eden Hazard fills the role very well, and I’m in favour of continuity. I
want lots of leaders in my team. It’s not important who wears the
armband.”
Kompany could yet still feature in Wednesday’s friendly
with Netherlands in Amsterdam and next Sunday’s 2018 World Cup qualifier
against Estonia in Brussels, but Radja Nainggolan will be forced to
watch from home.
The Roma midfielder, 28, was a surprise absence
from Martinez’s squad, despite playing regularly for his club and
previously being a stalwart of the national team.
“I pick the
players with whom I can make the best team. I don’t call up experienced
players on the basis of their reputation,” the former Swansea City and
Everton boss said.
“You have to work, fight, be patient and
deserve your call up. I want a competitive national team. I make my
choices fairly, and my advantage is that I’m neutral. If you always had
to just pick the same names, you don’t need a national team coach.”
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