De Bruyne to captain Belgium squad at EURO 2024 alongside Witsel, who has come out of retirement

Belgium’s Euro 2024 squad has been announced, with Kevin De Bruyne leading the charge alongside a surprise inclusion of once-retired Alex Witsel. Coach Domenico Tedesco unveiled his 25-man squad on Tuesday, with Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois notably absent.

De Bruyne and Witsel are key members of Belgium’s golden generation of players, with Witsel making a comeback after initially retiring from international soccer. Tedesco cited Witsel’s recent performances with Atletico Madrid as the reason for his inclusion in the squad.

Courtois, on the other hand, was left out due to his recent return from injury and ongoing disputes with Tedesco. The coach took over from Roberto Martinez in 2023 and has yet to lose a game in charge of the Red Devils.

Belgium will face Slovakia, Romania, and Ukraine in Group E at the Euros, with their best result being runner-up in 1980. The squad also includes new faces like Maxim De Cuyper, who won the Belgian league with Club Brugge.

With a mix of experienced veterans and promising young talent, Belgium will be looking to make a strong impact at the European Championship next month. Fans will be eagerly anticipating De Bruyne and Witsel’s performances as they aim to lead their team to glory on the international stage.