Belgium midfielder Eden Hazard has dropped a bombshell in announcing that he has decided to hang up his boots from international football.
Hazard featured for the Belgians in the 2022 FIFA World Cup tournament that is currently underway in Qatar but the Europeans didn’t really do well.
Boasting the likes of Romelu Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne, and Michy Batshuayi, Hazard’s Belgium could not go beyond the group stages.
The 31-year-old Hazard announced his retirement from international assignments on Wednesday after his second-ranked team’s World Cup campaign ended in a disappointing group stage exit.
Hazard, the anchor of Belgium’s “golden generation”, played in all three games but did not score as Belgium beat Canada, lost to Morocco, and had to settle for a goalless draw with Croatia to finish third in Group F -marking a disastrous campaign.
“I have decided to put an end to my international career. The succession is ready,” Hazard wrote on Instagram.
“A page turns today. Thank you for your love. Thank you for your unparalleled support. Thank you for all this happiness shared since 2008, I will miss you.”
The Belgians lost to eventual champions France four years ago in the final but managed to secure the third spot as they defeated England in the third-placed play-off.
However, they failed to replicate that form heading to Qatar as they exited the global showpiece with a single victory.
The Real Madrid creative midfielder’s announcement follows that of coach Roberto Martinez who stepped down from the national team job in the wake of a dismal campaign.
Hazard, who won the English Premier League and UEFA Europa League twice among other major honours in seven seasons at Chelsea, has struggled since his move to Spanish La Liga giants, Madrid in 2019.
However, he has won the Champions League and two La Liga titles but only scored seven times across all competitions during his time in the Spanish capital.
Looking at his international statistics, Hazard made his senior debut in 2008 and scored 33 times out of 126 appearances.
He guided Belgium to their best World Cup finish at the 2018 tournament in Russia when they came third.
Main Image: Eden Hazard/BBCSport
The post FIFA World Cup: Belgium’s Eden Hazard retires from international duty appeared first on Entertainment SA - South African Entertainment News, Celebrity and Lifestyle Online Magazine & Entertainment.
إرسال تعليق