Belgium Captain Eden Hazard Retires From International Football
On Wednesday, Belgium captain Eden Hazard announced his retirement from international football at the age of 31, after the FIFA World Cup campaign of the Europeans ended in a group stage exit.
Hazard played in all three games but did not score as Belgium beat Canada, lost to Morocco and settled for a goalless draw against Croatia to finish third in Group F.
The Real Madrid forward made his senior debut in 2008 and scored 33 times in 126 appearances. He guided Belgium to their best World Cup finish at the 2018 tournament in Russia, when they came third.
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“A page turns today… Thank you for your love,” Hazard wrote on Instagram. “Thank you for your unmatched support.
“Thank you for all this happiness shared since 2008. Decided to end my international career. The succession is ready. I will miss you guys.”
Belgium lost to eventual champions France four years ago and beat England in the third-placed playoff, but they were unable to find that spark in Qatar and bowed out in the group stages.
Hazard joined Belgium coach Roberto Martinez in stepping away from the national team after a disappointing campaign which they scored only one goal in three games.
In seven season at Chelsea, Hazard won the Premier League and Europa League twice amongst other major honours. He has struggled since his move to Real Madrid in 2019.
Hazard has won the Champions League and two La Liga titles and has seven (7) goals in all competitions for Real Madrid.
Chidi Nwoke/Reuters.
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