BELGIUM star Eden Hazard is reportedly considering retirement from international football.
Roberto Martinez’s side crashed out of the World Cup in the group stage after they failed to follow up their win over Canada, losing to Morocco and exiting the competition with a goalless draw against Croatia.
Following Belgium’s disappointing campaign, HLN are claiming that Hazard will make a decision on his future with the national team in the coming days.
He has made a breathtaking 126 appearances for his country, scoring 33 goals across a 14-year period.
But with injury problems plaguing his club career at Real Madrid, Hazard may feel he does not have another major tournament in him.
The same report also claims he is considering a departure from the Bernabeu having played just 72 times in three-and-a-half seasons.
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But former Belgium striker Gilles De Bilde is cautious about believing rumours of Hazard’s international retirement.
He said: “I take it with a grain of salt. It has already happened at this World Cup that a rumor was blown up.
“So I would wait and see what Eden himself says in the coming days.”
He continued: “I also understand that his younger brother Kylian was surprised by the news [of his retirement].
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“Eden was always told that he would not stop with the Red Devils until they had to carry him away. But maybe this is due to circumstances.
“Don’t forget the emotional aspect as well. After disappointment, a person sometimes says things that he later comes back to.
“So I would wait for Eden himself.”
Belgium’s exit from the World Cup came amid alleged tensions within the camp.
Ahead of the draw with Croatia, there were reports of a bust-up between Hazard, Jan Vertonghen and Kevin de Bruyne.
It came after Man City man De Bruyne was asked about Belgium’s chances of winning the World Cup in Qatar.
To which he told The Guardian: “No chance, we’re too old. I think our chance was 2018.
“We have a good team, but it is ageing. We lost some key players. We have some good new players coming, but they are not at the level other players were in 2018. I see us more as outsiders.”
Meanwhile, manager Martinez is expected to depart his role after his contract expired when they crashed out of the World Cup.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
