List of Belgium national football team captains

Last updated

Kevin De Bruyne is the captain of the national side. Kevin De Bruyne 201807092.jpg
Kevin De Bruyne is the captain of the national side.

As of March 2016, the Belgium national team has been led by at least 89 different captains; [1] 86 different players started an international game as captain, [2] but due to substitutions the total number is higher. At least 15 pure forwards and eight goalkeepers have fulfilled this role but most often Red Devils in defensive positions and midfielders were assigned as captain, as is usually the case in association football. Until 2011 under Dick Advocaat and Georges Leekens the former Belgium U-23 captain Thomas Vermaelen was chosen as national squad's leader, but during an injury period he left the captaincy to Vincent Kompany, who became the new permanent captain. [3] After several periods of injuries and missing out UEFA Euro 2016, Kompany gradually lost his position as captain to Eden Hazard by 2017. [4] Following Hazard's retirement from international duty in 2022, Kevin De Bruyne was appointed as captain. [5]

Contents

All-time captain list

The following table shows which Belgian footballers started international games as captain, and during which period. Players that received the captain's armband because of a substitution or expulsion during a match are not counted.

  Players still active for Belgium are highlighted

Last updated: Brazil vs. Belgium, 6 July 2018. Statistics include official FIFA-recognised matches only.

List of captains of the Belgium national football team [2]
#NamePeriodPositionTimesActive
1 Camille Van Hoorden 1904–11 MF 12
2 Ernest Moreau de Melen 1905 DF 1
3 Edgard Poelmans 1906–11 DF 4
4 René Feye 1907 MF 1
5 Charles Cambier 1907–10 MF 6
6 Max Tobias 1908 MF 1
7 Marcel Feye 1910 GK 4
8 Émile Andrieu 1912 DF 5
9 Oscar Bossaert 1912–13 DF 7
10 Gaston Hubin 1913 DF 1
11 Henri Leroy 1914 GK 1
12 Joseph Thys 1914 MF 1
13 Armand Swartenbroeks 1914–28 DF 37
14 Jules Suetens 1914 MF 1
15 Georgy Hebdin 1919–20 FW 3
16 Fernand Nisot 1920 FW 1
17 Émile Hanse 1920–22 MF 4
18 Joseph Musch 1921 DF/MF 3
19 Oscar Verbeeck 1924 DF 1
20 Florimond Vanhalme 1926–30 MF 14
21 Pierre Braine 1928–30 MF 9
22 Nic Hoydonckx 1930–33 DF 13
23 Jacques Moeschal 1931 MF/FW 2
24 Gust Hellemans 1932–34 CH 5
25 Jules Lavigne 1932 DF 3
26 Jules Pappaert 1934 DF 3
27 Félix Welkenhuysen 1934 DF 1
28 Philly Smellinckx 1935–38 DF 13
29 Émile Stijnen 1936–39 MF 18
30 Ray Braine 1938 FW 1
31 Bob Paverick 1939–46 DF 9
32 John Van Alphen 1944 DF/MF 1
33 Nand Buyle 1945 FW 1
34 Bert De Cleyn 1947 FW 5
35 Marcel Vercammen 1947 MF 1
36 Jules Henriet 1948–49 DF/MF 8
37 François Daenen 1948–53 GK 3
38 Freddy Chaves 1949–51 MF/FW 11
39 Jef Mermans 1949–56 FW 30
40 Henri Meert 1952–55 GK 4
41 Victor Lemberechts 1953 FW 1
42 Pol Anoul 1953 FW 2
43 Louis Carré 1955–58 DF 5
44 Vic Mees 1956–60 MF 16
45 Marcel Dries 1958 DF 2
46 Denis Houf 1958–61 FW 3
47 Rik Coppens 1959 FW 4
48 Henri Diricx 1960 DF 2
49 Martin Lippens 1960–63 MF 3
50 Jef Jurion 1960–67 MF 39
51 Paul Van Himst 1964–74 FW 38
52 Jean Nicolay 1965 GK 1
53 Pierre Hanon 1966–68 DF/MF 6
54 Georges Heylens 1968–70 DF 4
55 Léon Semmeling 1970 FW 1
56 Wilfried Van Moer 1975–82 DF/MF 10
57 Christian Piot 1975–77 GK 8
58 Maurice Martens 1976 DF 1
59 Raoul Lambert 1977 FW 2
60 Julien Cools 1977–80 DF/MF 20
61 François Van der Elst 1980 FW 1
62 Eric Gerets 1980–91 DF 26
63 Walter Meeuws 1982–84 DF 2
64 Jean-Marie Pfaff 1984–87 GK 3
65 Ludo Coeck 1984 DF/MF 1
66 Jan Ceulemans 1984–91 MF/FW 48
67 René Vandereycken 1984 MF 1
68 Georges Grün 1989–95 DF 25
69 Franky Van der Elst 1992–98 MF 18
70 Michel Preud'homme 1993–94 GK 3
71 Enzo Scifo 1993–98 MF 11
72 Lorenzo Staelens 1995–00 DF/MF 19
73 Marc Degryse 1995–96 MF 3
74 Nico Van Kerckhoven 1998 DF/MF 1
75 Marc Wilmots 1999–02 MF 23
76 Gert Verheyen 2001–02 MF/FW 3
77 Bart Goor 2002–05 MF 20
78 Eric Deflandre 2004 DF 2
79 Timmy Simons 2004–09 DF/MF 36
80 Émile Mpenza 2005 FW 1
81 Daniel Van Buyten 2007–11 DF 10
82 Thomas Vermaelen 2009–13 DF 14
83 Vincent Kompany 2010–17 DF 36 [upper-alpha 1]
84 Jan Vertonghen 2012–21 DF 13Active
85 Eden Hazard 2015–22 MF/FW 45
86 Axel Witsel 2016 MF 1Active
87 Thibaut Courtois 2018 GK 1Active
88 Kevin De Bruyne 2018–Present MF 7Active
89 Romelu Lukaku 2020–Present FW 6Active

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Note that the friendlies against Romania on 14 November 2012 and against Luxembourg on 26 May 2014 are not FIFA-recognised due to an excessive number of substitutions. [6]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Belgium national football team</span> Mens national association football team representing Belgium

The Belgium national football team officially represents Belgium in men's international football since their maiden match in 1904. The squad is under the global jurisdiction of FIFA and is governed in Europe by UEFA—both of which were co-founded by the Belgian team's supervising body, the Royal Belgian Football Association. Periods of regular Belgian representation at the highest international level, from 1920 to 1938, from 1982 to 2002 and again from 2014 onwards, have alternated with mostly unsuccessful qualification rounds. Most of Belgium's home matches are played at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">William Gallas</span> French footballer

William Eric Gallas is a French former professional footballer who played as a defender. He played most of his footballing career in France and England before finishing his career in Australia with A-League club Perth Glory. Gallas began his career in France, before being signed by English club Chelsea in 2001. He transferred to Arsenal as part of an exchange deal in 2006. He then signed for rivals Tottenham Hotspur in 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vincent Kompany</span> Belgian football manager (born 1986)

Vincent Jean Mpoy Kompany is a Belgian professional football manager and former player who is the current manager of Bundesliga club Bayern Munich. A centre-back, he played for Manchester City for eleven seasons, eight of which he spent as captain. Kompany also represented Belgium for fifteen years, seven as captain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Substitute (association football)</span> Type of player in association football

In association football, a substitute is a player who is brought on to the pitch during a match in exchange for an existing player. Substitutions are generally made to replace a player who has become tired or injured, or who is performing poorly, or for tactical reasons. A player who has been substituted during a match takes no further part in the game, in games played under the standard International Football Association Board Laws of the Game.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thomas Vermaelen</span> Belgian association football player (born 1985)

Thomas Vermaelen is a Belgian former professional footballer. Being left-footed, he usually played as a left-sided centre-back and could play at left-back as well. His key attributes included aerial ability, leadership skills, and his quickness with the ball at his feet. He was also known for his goalscoring ability as a defender.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jan Vertonghen</span> Belgian association football player

Jan Bert Lieve Vertonghen is a Belgian professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Pro League club Anderlecht and the Belgium national team. Mainly a centre-back, he can also play as a left-back.

In sport, a Golden Generation, or Golden Team is an exceptionally gifted group of players of similar age, whose achievements reach or are expected to reach a level of success beyond that which their team had previously achieved. The term was first being cited by the media for Portugal's success during the FIFA Youth Championships in both 1989 and 1991. Below is a list of teams who have been referred to by the media as golden generations, most of which played in the 21st century.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marouane Fellaini</span> Belgian footballer (born 1987)

Marouane Fellaini-Bakkioui is a Belgian former professional footballer who played as a midfielder.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maarten Martens</span> Belgian footballer (born 1984)

Maarten Martens is a Belgian professional football coach and a former player who played as a midfielder, either as an attacking midfielder or winger. He is the current head coach of the Dutch club AZ Alkmaar. Martens was known for his flair, dribbling and goalscoring ability as well as his precise passing and creativity. He previously played for Belgian clubs Anderlecht and Cercle Brugge, Dutch clubs RKC Waalwijk and AZ, as well as Greek club PAOK. At international level, he has represented the Belgium national team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eden Hazard</span> Belgian footballer (born 1991)

Eden Michael Walter Hazard is a Belgian former professional footballer who played as a winger or attacking midfielder for Lille, Chelsea, Real Madrid, and the Belgium national team. Known for his dribbling and creativity, he is regarded as one of the best players of his generation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nacer Chadli</span> Belgian footballer (born 1989)

Nacer Chadli is a Belgian professional footballer who plays as a winger for Belgian Pro League club Westerlo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christian Benteke</span> Belgian footballer (born 1990)

Christian Benteke Liolo is a Belgian professional with a huge sausage footballer who plays as a striker for Major League Soccer club D.C. United and the Belgium national team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dedryck Boyata</span> Belgian association football player

Dedryck Anga Boyata is a Belgian professional footballer who plays as a centre-back or right-back for Belgian Pro League side Club Brugge and the Belgium national team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thorgan Hazard</span> Belgian footballer (born 1993)

Thorgan Ganael Francis Hazard is a Belgian professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder and winger for Belgian Pro League club Anderlecht and the Belgium national team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Youri Tielemans</span> Belgian association football player

Youri Marion A. Tielemans is a Belgian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Premier League club Aston Villa and the Belgium national team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adnan Januzaj</span> Belgian footballer (born 1995)

Adnan Januzaj is a Belgian professional footballer who plays as a winger for La Liga club Sevilla and the Belgium national team.

This article lists various team and individual football records in relation to the Belgium national team. The page currently shows the records as of 26 March 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jérémy Doku</span> Belgian footballer (born 2002)

Jérémy Baffour Doku is a Belgian professional footballer who plays as a winger for Premier League club Manchester City and the Belgium national team.

References

  1. ↑ H., Cl. (17 Nov 2004). "Le 82e capitaine". La Dernière Heure (in French).
  2. 1 2 "Belgium national football team match results". eu-football.info. Retrieved 5 Sep 2013.
  3. ↑ Ankers, George (10 Nov 2011). "Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen disappointed to lose Belgium captaincy to Manchester City's Vincent Kompany". Goal.com. Retrieved 5 May 2015.
  4. ↑ "Vincent Kompany is weer Rode Duivel, Eden Hazard blijft aanvoerder". Goal.com. 30 May 2017. Retrieved 1 Jun 2017.
  5. ↑ "Royal Belgian FA". www.rbfa.be. Retrieved 2024-05-30.
  6. ↑ "Rules & Governance - Law 3: The number of players". The FA . Retrieved 25 Oct 2014.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.