MADRID, Dec. 7 (.) –
The captain of the Belgian team, Eden Hazard, has ended his career in the national team this Wednesday after the early and unexpected elimination from the World Cup in Qatar, after enjoying so much “happiness since 2008”.
“Today I turn the page. Thank you for your love. Thank you for your unparalleled support. Thank you for all the happy moments we have shared since 2008. I have decided to end my career as an international. The next generation is ready. I will miss you very much …”, wrote the Real Madrid player in a message on social networks.
The midfielder, who will turn 32 in January, played 126 games with the Belgian team, in which he scored 33 goals. Hazard arrived at the World Cup with many doubts, although the then coach, Roberto Martínez, trusted his hierarchy in the national team and started the first two games in Qatar.
However, he only played four minutes in the last and decisive match of the group stage, which confirmed the disappointing tournament for the Belgians with a 0-0 defeat against Croatia. Thus, the ‘Red Devils’, third in the 2018 World Cup in Russia, face a forced renovation, now without Roberto Martínez and with a divided and overly long-lived squad.
