Arsenal star Thomas Vermaelen admits he is disappointed to have lost the captain's armband with Belgium.
Arsenal star upset to lose national captaincy
Arsenal star Thomas Vermaelen admits he is disappointed to have lost the captain's armband with Belgium.
Vincent Kompany, who was appointed Manchester City skipper this summer, has been handed the armband by coach Georges Leekens.
Vermaelen returned to the international set-up following an injury plagued campaign last season, but he had expected to remain as skipper.
"I still thought I was going to be captain," the central defender revealed.
"I had not expected that, I found it a great honour to be captain of my country so of course I am disappointed that I will no longer carry the armband.
"Even though I was absent for a long time, I thought I would be his captain.
"I have not talked with Vincent about it, but I don't need to."
Leekens would not talk about the armband, but said: "I am very happy he is back, he remains the standard bearer of the national side and is one of seven or eight players that will lead the Red Devils ahead of the 2014 World Cup."
Vermaelen is positive for Belgium's chances in the future, adding: "We are clearly developing which is positive for everyone to see.
"Players like Steven Defour and Axel Wistel have now joined bigger clubs [both players left Belgium in the summer] and have already got better."
