Garcia Names Yuri Tielemans Belgium Captain, Ending Prolonged Leadership Debate
Brussels, Belgium – In a move that surprised many, national team coach Rudi Garcia has appointed Aston Villa midfielder Yuri Tielemans, 28, as the new captain of the Belgium national team, effectively resolving a two-year leadership crisis. The announcement comes ahead of upcoming European qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, to be hosted in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
“Yuri tielemans will wear the leadership badge against Liechtenstein and will be the primary captain of the national team,” Garcia stated. He explained the decision was based on Tielemans’ ability to foster consensus within the squad, bridging the gap between veteran players and emerging talent. ”He meets all the requirements to be our captain.”
the choice of Tielemans was unexpected, as several other prominent players were considered for the role, including Napoli’s Kevin De Bruyne, 34, injured forward Romelu Lukaku, 32, and Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, 33, who is returning to the team after a period of issues with former coach Domenico Tedesco. Thomas munier, 33, was also a potential candidate.
Belgian newspaper le Soir reflected the sentiment of many fans, stating on Thursday, “Let’s be honest, we have not seen that this will happen.”
Tielemans himself expressed his surprise and gratitude at a press conference. “It is indeed an honor for me. Saying that I am surprised is the least that can be said,” he said. He also emphasized the importance of shared leadership within the team, adding, “We do not need one leader, but rather many leaders.”
Garcia’s decision marks the end of a period of uncertainty and signals the start of a new chapter for the Belgian national team under Tielemans’ captaincy.
