Manchester City defender Vincent Kompany has been named in Belgium’s final 23-man squad for this summer’s FIFA World Cup in Russia despite suffering a groin injury in the friendly match with Portugal on Saturday.
According to manager Roberto Martinez, Kompany’s leadership is essential for the team.
In his words, the former Wigan Athletic and Everton boss said: “He is a true leader – his leadership is essential for us.”
Crystal Palace striker Christian Benteke was however not lucky as he was cut off the final list after Martinez trimmed the initial 28-man squad to the final squad.
He misses out alongside Newcastle goalkeeper Matz Sels, defender Christian Kabasele of Watford and fellow defender Jordan Lukaku of Lazio, while Los Angeles FC defender Laurent Ciman is on standby if Kompany fail to recover from the injury he sustained on Saturday ahead of Russia 2018.
Belgium will do battle with Panama, England and Tunisia in Group G at the World Cup in Russia.
Final 23-man squad
Goalkeepers: Koen Casteels (Wolfsburg), Thibaut Courtois (Chelsea), Simon Mignolet (Liverpool).
Defenders: Toby Alderweireld (Tottenham Hotspur), Dedryck Boyata (Celtic), Vincent Kompany (Manchester City), Thomas Meunier (Paris St-Germain), Thomas Vermaelen (Barcelona), Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham Hotspur).
Midfielders: Yannick Carrasco (Dalian Yifang), Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City), Mousa Dembele (Tottenham Hotspur), Leander Dendoncker (Anderlecht), Marouane Fellaini (Manchester United), Eden Hazard (Chelsea), Thorgan Hazard (Borussia Monchengladbach), Adnan Januzaj (Real Sociedad), Dries Mertens (Napoli), Youri Tielemans (Monaco), Axel Witsel (Tianjin Quanjian).
Forwards: Michy Batshuayi (Chelsea), Nacer Chadli (West Brom), Romelu Lukaku (Manchester United).
