In a recent friendly match, Belgium defeated Montenegro 2-0 with the opposition playing with ten men.
Witsel, who returned to the Belgian national team squad, came on as a substitute in the 46th minute. When Kevin De Bruyne, the captain at that time, was substituted, he passed the armband to Witsel. In the second half, Witsel led the team as captain, contributing to their victory over the opponent.
After the game, Witsel remarked that the captain’s armband held no significant value for him: “I didn’t ask for anything. Kevin just gave it to me directly. It’s not important; I can be a leader with or without it.”
His words prompt speculation about the tension between Belgian head coach Tedesco and goalkeeper Courtois, who supposedly complained about the distribution of the captaincy. Courtois was notably absent from the squad for this year’s European Championship.