Eden Hazard admits he “didn’t like” playing for Belgium at the 2022 World Cup

Belgian forward Eden Hazard admits he “didn’t like” playing for Belgium at the 2022 World Cup as he felt undeserving of a role amid ongoing struggles at Real Madrid.  

Eden Hazard once again took the captain role for his nation in Qatar, with Roberto Martinez keeping faith with a seasoned campaigner despite seeing him represent the ‘Whites’ only on seven occasions in club football. While the 32 year old was pleased to escape his problems at the Santiago Bernabeu when going to the Middle East, he admits that the next generation of talent would have been more deserving of minutes than he was. 

As per HLN, Hazard said “New guys knocked on the door with the national team. Not playing at Real, then joining the Red Devils and playing football. I didn't like that, especially because the new generation deserves to play.”

Hazard took his tally of international caps to 126 playing another crucial tournament, and that is where his haul will end after deciding to hang his boots. He confirmed the decision and when it was taken stating “I knew for some time that I would stop after the World Cup. The performance in Qatar was not decisive for my decision. Of course it is a pity how it turned out, but my decision was made in advance. It was just time to stop. I first started thinking about it after the European Championships. I had done my best to be fit in time after my ankle injury. Unfortunately, I couldn't play in the quarter-final loss to Italy and that really made a mental difference. I also play football in Madrid with Toni Kroos. He quit the German national team two years ago and he told me that when others have international commitments, he could take advantage of that time to enjoy it with his family.”

Hazard joined forces with Belgium’s so called ‘Golden Generation’, but leaves the international scene with no major championships/honours at that level to his name and with genuine questions being asked of the direction his club career is seeing a downward spiral.