Amadou Onana has claimed that he could be the future captain of Belgium.
As per Proximus, the Everton midfielder believes he has the ‘qualities’ it takes to become the leader of the national team ahead of their meeting with Azerbaijan this weekend.
Onana was handed his national team debut by Roberto Martinez in June 2022, where he came off the bench in a 4-1 drubbing by the Netherlands.
The 22-year-old has shown plenty of promise when featuring for Belgium after earning six caps and also making their 26-man squad for the Qatar World Cup last year. However, the Everton man was absent from their EURO Qualifiers in June and will look to make his comeback this time round.
Despite only turning 22 last month, Onana has made his intentions clear to one day become the captain and replace the current Kevin De Bruyne.
Ahead of the Red Devils’ qualifier against Azerbaijan tomorrow, Onana said: “I have the qualities to take on that role. I feel very involved in the development of this new generation. On the one hand, I know how to communicate with everyone and read the different profiles and characters. On the other hand, you also have to be a leader by performing well on the field. It’s by leading by example on the field that you earn everyone’s trust.
More everton news
“I think it’s everyone’s dream to be captain of their country. It would be a big responsibility, but it would also be a sure vote of confidence from the staff and teammates.”
Amadou Onana is a ‘blessing’ to Belgium
Despite formerly being a team full of the world’s biggest stars such as Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne and Vincent Kompany, Belgium’s squad has looked past it over the last year or so.
Some of their most important players are on the verge of international retirement and have been heavily relying on De Bruyne, who has struggled to replicate his form from Man City.
Domenico Tedesco is ready to bring through a new generation of Belgium players and Amadou Onana could be key to that, with Proximus labelling him a ‘blessing’ and a ‘born leader’.
That could surely only benefit Everton, who will have a young player who wants to really impress in order to keep a regular place in his national side.
Spectacular performances on the international stage will only drive Onana’s price up too.