Hazard Announces Retirement From The Belgium National Team After 14 Years

Hazard Announces Retirement From The Belgium National Team After 14 Years.

Eden Hazard has officially announced that he will no longer play for Belgium after their humiliating 2022 World Cup campaign.

Fourteen years after his international debut for the Red Devils, the forward is stepping aside. Belgium’s failure at the World Cup and his obvious drop in performance has prompted the decision.

“You are a legend,” his teammate Michy Batsuayhi told him when he heard the news of his final resignation.

“A page turns today. Thank you for your love, for your unconditional support. Thank you all for the happiness we have shared since 2008. I have decided to put an end to my international career. The succession is ready. I will miss you…”, Hazard said on his social media.

Hazard’s step aside is significant. His performances since leaving the Premier League have been steadily declining and the World Cup did not show anything to suggest that his performances were only bad when playing for Real Madrid.

Belgium is beginning a major change after failing in the group stage in Qatar. Coach Roberto Martinez has already left and now the great Belgian legend is leaving too.

126 appearances and 33 goals later

Hazard made his senior debut for Belgium, having come through all the youth ranks at the age of 17, and has played a total of 126 games, scoring 33 goals and captaining the side for a long time.

His departure marks a generational change for Belgium, whose golden generation has come to an end and needs to be replaced.

Source | Marca