Following Belgium’s disastrous World Cup campaign, Real Madrid winger Eden Hazard is reportedly thinking about giving up international football.
Despite widespread recognition that Belgium’s so-called “golden generation” had passed their prime, many expected the Red Devils to compete in the World Cup’s latter stages.
Although Belgium defeated Canada 1-0 in their opening match, they were defeated by Morocco and Croatia and were eliminated from the competition at the group stage.
Given that his contract was set to expire at the end of the year anyway, head coach Roberto Martinez has already announced his departure from the Belgian setup.
Furthermore, given that several of Belgium’s top players are in their 30s, it appears likely that a number of other World Cup team members will follow him in resigning from their international commitments.
Having made 126 appearances for Belgium since his debut in 2008, Spanish publication Marca reports that Belgium captain Hazard is now seriously considering ending his country’s national team.
After a disappointing few years in which injuries have limited his playing time for Real Madrid at the club level, Marca mentions Hazard’s declining credibility in the eyes of Belgian fans.
Just one month away from turning 32, the former Chelsea attacker may decide that it is best to call it quits on his international career because it appears unlikely that he will qualify for another World Cup.
