Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne will lead Belgium’s rejuvenated team at the European Championship next month, alongside Alex Witsel, who has returned from retirement.
Coach Domenico Tedesco announced a 25-man squad on Tuesday, with Thibaut Courtois, the Real Madrid goalkeeper, not included as he prepares for the Champions League final.
Maxim De Cuyper, a full back from Club Brugge, is the only newcomer in the squad.
De Bruyne and Witsel are part of Belgium’s golden generation of players. While De Bruyne’s presence was expected, Witsel’s return was a surprise. He retired from international soccer last year but has impressed Tedesco with his recent performances at Atletico Madrid.
“I have the best feelings with Axel,” said Tedesco.
Tedesco explained that Courtois is not fit for Euro 2024 after returning from injury. Courtois announced in December that he would miss the Euros following a dispute with Tedesco last year.
Tedesco took over as Belgium manager in February 2023 and has not lost a game with the team. Belgium is in Group E and will face Slovakia, Romania, and Ukraine. Their best result at the European Championship was finishing as runners-up in 1980.
