Rudi Garcia has confirmed that Napoli star Kevin De Bruyne will no longer be the captain of the Belgium national team, and that the armband has instead been handed over to Aston Villa midfielder Youri Tielemans. 

Garcia takes Belgium captaincy away from De Bruyne

Garcia, who was briefly in charge of Napoli at the start of the 2023-24 season, confirmed in his Belgium national team press conference that he has decided to switch-up the Red Devils’ captaincy. 

De Bruyne had served as captain of Belgium from March 2023 onwards, following the retirement of Eden Hazard. 

Garcia told the press on Thursday that the decision to switch captains was unanimous among the gruppo and players. 

He feels that Tielemans, 28, better represents ‘the link between the golden generation and the younger players’ within the group. 

“(Tielemans) will be the captain tomorrow against Liechtenstein, and he will always be from here on out,” Garcia said during his pre-match press conference, reported via Sky Sport Italia. 

“It was a decision taken unanimously with the gruppo and players. He’s the link between the golden generation and the younger players.” 

De Bruyne, who joined Napoli as a free agent at the end of his 10-year spell with Manchester City earlier this summer, is still with the Belgium national team. Club teammate and compatriot Romelu Lukaku is not, however, as he continues his injury recovery process.