Chelsea midfielder Eden Hazard can use his rejuvenated form to lead by example as Belgium captain at Euro 2016, according to national team coach Marc Wilmots.
Hazard, 25, has taken the armband in the absence of Manchester City defender Vincent Kompany, who will miss next month's tournament in France due to injury.
The 2014-15 PFA Player of the Year had experienced a remarkable dip in form earlier this season but ended the campaign with four goals in his last five matches.
A brace in the 4-1 win at Bournemouth was followed by the goal that ended Tottenham Hotspur's Premier League title hopes and he then struck another wonderful individual effort in a 1-1 draw against Liverpool.
The ex-Lille player would seem to lack the kind of natural authority associated with Kompany but Wilmots is confident that Hazard can inspire the rest of his team.
"I have several leaders," Wilmots told a news conference on Thursday. "In terms of the captain's armband, I think there are people who do it in different ways than I did.
"But Eden is Eden... You become a leader with your feet.
"For me a leader is someone that when the team needs a player to put his foot on the ball, he succeeds in bringing the team with him.... in order to gain some time and to have personality on the pitch.
"Outside, he doesn't need a lot. He needs to retain his personality but in his game he's going to become much more of a leader. Just like Kevin De Bruyne and everyone else."
Wilmots still ranks Belgium as "outsiders" to win Euro 2016 behind France, Germany and Spain but many observers believe the Red Devils' star-studded squad is well-equipped to challenge for the title.
Belgium kick off their campaign against Italy in Lyon on June 13 before facing Republic of Ireland and Sweden and Wilmots is hopeful that Hazard can cope with the pressure.
"Eden is still only 25," he said. "Look at everything he's already done. I think it's not bad already - whether it's in France or in England.
"I feel a huge desire in him for the Euros. It shouldn't be too big a desire -- you shouldn't force things. He needs to remain natural.
"He's someone who's very relaxed. He's an excellent footballer. And all he wants to do is bring joy to his country and to enjoy himself with the national team.
"That's what I'm expecting. He doesn't need to be a captain who's going to shout. I spoke about it today -- 'let your feet do the talking.' It's better than any speech."