EURO 2024
New era, new captains for Belgium and Spain
Álvaro Morata is the new Spain captain following the international retirement of Sergio Busquets.
Belgium and Spain will both have new captains ahead of the Euro 2024 qualifiers, as will France, as the countries move into new eras after the 2022 World Cup.
Álvaro Morata is the new Spain captain following the international retirement of Sergio Busquets and the absence from Luis de la Fuente’s first squad of senior players Jordi Alba and Koke.
“It’s incredible to be captain,” admitted Morata, who with 60 caps is the player to inherit the armband from Busquets. “With Dani (Carvajal) I’ve been in the national team since we were just two kids and it’s a tremendous joy not only to be captain, but to be here again and defend my country’s shirt.”
De Bruyne the new Belgium captain
Meanwhile, Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne will be the new captain of Belgium and replaces Real Madrid’s Eden Hazard following his retirement from international competition, the Belgian football federation confirmed on Tuesday.
Courtois and Lukaku vice captains
The Belgium vice-captains will be Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and Inter Milan striker Romelo Lukaku.
The decision was made by new Belgian national team coach Domenico Tedesco, who last week announced his first squad of players ahead of the Euro 2024 qualifiers this month.