Vissel Kobe FC of Japan defender Thomas Vermaelen is hoping for one last hurrah with the Belgian national team at the 2020 European Championship slated for next summer. The Ex-Arsenal and Barcelona player wants a final opportunity to secure silverware with his country. Belgium are the number one ranked team in world football according to the FIFA Rankings and the Red Devils would be one of the major challengers at the European Championship that was postponed from this year to next year due to theeffects from Coronavirus.
Thomas Vermaelen, 35, has scored two goals in 78 appearances for his country since his first game against Luxembourg in March 2006. He became the team captain prior to the double 2010 World Cup qualifiers against Turkey and Estonia. Vermaelen was named the Belgium skipper on the 9th of October, 2009. His first goal for Belgium came during a friendly with Hungary on the 14th of November, 2010.
The experienced defender can play either as a centre back or as a left-back. He has represented Belgium at two FIFA World Cup tournaments. Thomas Vermaelen was part of the World Cup party to the 2014 edition in Brazil as the Red Devils were knocked out by eventual finalists Argentina at the quarterfinal stage. Belgium lost 1-0 to Argentina who secured a semi-final place as a result of the win.Argentina would go on to the final where they were beaten by the same 1-0 scoreline after extra time. Mario Gotze scored the winning goal for Germany as they won the World Cup title at the expense of the Argentines.
Thomas Vermaelen was also part of the Belgium squad who finished third at the last FIFA World Cup tournament in Russia. The Red Devils of Belgium were beaten in the semi-finals by eventual winners France.
