Hazard named captain as Belgium announces 24-man Euro 2016 squad
Chelsea star attacker Eden Hazard will wear the captain's armband for Belgium during the 2016 European Championship in France as Marc Wilmots announced the Red Devils' 24-man roster for the summer tournament on Thursday.
Manchester City defender Vincent Kompany, who's been ruled out for four months, was omitted from the team. He suffered a thigh and groin injury, which required surgery, nine minutes into a Champions League semi-final match against Real Madrid.
OFFICIAL | This is our @UEFAEURO squad list !! #TousenFrance #Euro2016 pic.twitter.com/8l6bOmDttD
— BelgianRedDevils (@BelRedDevils) May 12, 2016
In his stead comes Club Brugge youngster Bjorn Engels, who has yet to make his debut for the senior national team. The central defender is joined by fellow youngsters including Liverpool forward Divock Origi and Galatasaray's Jason Denayer, while Tottenham midfielder Nacer Chadli and Everton winger Kevin Mirallas remain on standby.
Wilmots did not make too many controversial selections. Key players like Thibaut Courtois, Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen, Marouane Fellaini, Radja Nainggolan, Kevin De Bruyne, and Romelu Lukaku all made the cut, as expected. The manager will have to trim one player off the roster to submit a 23-man squad by May 31.
Belgium kicks off its Euro 2016 campaign in Group E alongside Italy, the Republic of Ireland, and Sweden.
Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois (Chelsea), Jean-Francois Gillet (Mechelen), Simon Mignolet (Liverpool)
Defenders: Tony Alderweireld (Tottenham), Dedryck Boyata (Celtic), Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham), Thomas Vermaelen (Barcelona), Nicolas Lombaerts (Zenit St. Petersburg), Jason Denayer (Galatasaray), Thomas Meunier (Club Brugge), Jordan Lukaku (Oostende), Bjorn Engels (Club Brugge)
Midfielders: Marouane Fellaini (Manchester United), Axel Witsel (Zenit St. Petersburg), Mousa Dembele (Tottenham), Radja Nainggolan (Roma)
Forwards: Eden Hazard (Chelsea), Dries Mertens (Napoli), Romelu Lukaku (Everton), Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City), Christian Benteke (Liverpool), Divock Origi (Liverpool), Yannick Carrasco (Atletico Madrid), Michy Batshuayi (Marseille)