World Cup

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.
Belgium crashed out of the World Cup in the group stage on ThursdayCredit: Rex
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. More

PORTUGAL defender Pepe left manager Fernando Santos in stitches after comparing the national team to a salad.Fernando Santos’ men booked their place in the last-16 of the World Cup with a game to spare after wins over Ghana and Uruguay.
Pepe used the salad analogy which he suggested came from boss Fernando SantosCredit: FOOTBALL DAILY

Cristiano Ronaldo and Co will meet Switzerland in the last-16 on TuesdayCredit: Getty
But they were then left disappointed on Friday as South Korea scored a dramatic late winner to beat them 2-1 in Doha.
Despite the loss, Portugal still topped Group H and will now face Switzerland on Tuesday for a place in the quarter-finals.
Pepe, 39, is competing at his fourth successive World Cup since making his debut at the tournament back in 2010.
And he was on top form at the press conference on Friday with the salad analogy he suggested came from head coach Santos.
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He began: “We have several ingredients but unless we put all the ingredients together… as our coach said, can I say it coach?”
Santos, already laughing at Pepe, then nodded.
The centre-back continued: “You see, we have different types of salad. I mean you can’t have a tomato on one side, the onion on the other side. It’s important to put all the ingredients together.
“Indeed, we have a high quality national team but unless we work very hard, unless we respect our opponents, unless we do what our coach says, we won’t benefit so much from this quality.
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“So the most important thing is to be aware regardless of who is on the pitch or not, we have to do our very best so that we can secure a win. And that’s the most important thing.”
Portugal have not gone beyond the second round of the World Cup since they made the semi-finals back in 2006.
A victory over Switzerland would see them meet either Morocco or rivals Spain in the last eight. More

NEYMAR has handed Brazil a major injury boost as he trained with the rest of the squad ahead of the 2022 World Cup knockouts.The star forward limped off the pitch during the Selecao’s World Cup opener against Serbia due to an ankle injury and was sidelined for the rest of the group stage.
Neymar returned to training with the rest of Brazil’s squad ahead of the World Cup Last 16Credit: https://twitter.com/bellexcosta/status/1599094047771009024?s=20&t=oZ0dJ4eAF8fjMaFEpn6kAg
Brazil superstar Neymar was in high spirits during Saturday’s training sessionCredit: https://twitter.com/bellexcosta/status/1599094047771009024?s=20&t=oZ0dJ4eAF8fjMaFEpn6kAg
The Paris Saint-Germain superstar also suffered an illness that didn’t allow him to watch his national team beat Switzerland 1-0 at the 974 Stadium.
However, the Brazil international recovered from his fever and watched Tite’s men during their shock 1-0 loss to Cameroon on Friday at the Lusail Stadium.
The loss to the Indomitable Lions didn’t cost the Brazilians as they still finished top of Group G and will take on South Korea in the Last 16 on Monday.
And Neymar has handed Tite a major boost as a clip emerged on social media showing him training on Saturday and looking fit enough for a return against the South Koreans.
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The ex-Barcelona star performed some clinical shots with both legs in front of the camera.
The 30-year-old also scored a cheeky goal as he nutmegged third-choice goalkeeper Weverton.

Neymar was in very high spirits as he also had a quick celebration after his beautiful set of skill.
The Brazilian suggested he will be fighting fit for the knockouts as he pointed at the camera with a big smile.
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Neymar suggested he could be fit enough to return for Brazil against South KoreaCredit: https://twitter.com/bellexcosta/status/1599094047771009024?s=20&t=oZ0dJ4eAF8fjMaFEpn6kAg
This comes after recent fears suggesting he suffered ligament damage and would be out for the whole tournament.
However, Neymar’s presence in training has lifted spirits as he was also joined by Danilo, who suffered an ankle injury as well.
This is very good news for Tite after both Gabriel Jesus and Alex Telles were ruled out of the rest of the tournament with a knee injury. More

THE grinning Qatari fans who were caught snapping pics of former Miss Croatia Ivana Knoll actually wanted to report her racy outfit, a local has claimed.The 30-year-old model dubbed the World Cup’s hottest fan”, turned some heads during Croatia’s game with Morocco where she showed up in another sexy outfit- a red checked bikini top and leggings.
The two men were caught snapping pictures of IvanaCredit: Instagram
They were pictured checking her out as she arrived at the stadium
Ivana cheered on Croatia during the match with MoroccoCredit: Getty
Posting on Instagram after the match, she a photo of the men checking her out and snapping photos with the caption: “1000000 followers, thank you so much for your support. Love you all!”
And while her followers quickly pointed out the cheeky actions of the men in the photos, a local entrepreneur has claimed the men were actually photographing Ivana’s outfit to report it.
Taking to Twitter Qatari Mohammed Hassan Al-Jefairi, said in response to the picture: “Just for your info they take a photo not because they like her but because they don’t like the way she is mis-dressed on regards to our culture.
“You can confirm this with any local Qatari Probably to report it.”
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His explanation however has not convinced Twitter users who begged to differ.
One said: “No offense meant, sir, but your justification is funny.
“Their facial expressions, body language, and how they hold the phone all give away their intentions rather clearly.
“You’ve got to admit that Qatari men are not infallible saying this as a Qatari by the way.
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German-born model and designer Ivana has been pictured cheering on Croatia wearing a range of revealing outfits.
Despite Qatar’s strict modesty laws, the stunning brunette says she isn’t worried about being arrested.
She said: “I was never afraid to be arrested to be what I am, and I don’t think I can hurt someone wearing a bikini.
“And if that deserves to be arrested, then arrest me.”
Even though she has received abuse online from trolls warning her to respect the cultural code of Qatar, she is determined to continue wearing her racy outfits and says locals actually love it.
“First I was thinking if the World Cup is happening there (Qatar), for sure they will allow us everything to make it comfortable for all fans without any of the restrictions,” she said.
She added: “The locals confirmed to me that I can wear whatever I want.
“But I didn’t know that my video in a bikini walking by the sea would be such a big deal.
“The whole country is speaking about it. Everybody knows me here, and I saw that I was accepted.”
Ivana has been making headlines over her outfit choicesCredit: The Mega Agency
The model says she is not worried about getting arrested More