World Cup: Belgium captain Hazard keen to prove doubters wrong in Qatar
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Belgium's Eden Hazard during the press conference on Nov 14, 2022.
PHOTO: REUTERS
TUBIZE, Belgium – Eden Hazard believes that he has a lot to offer Belgium at the World Cup and is confident he can prove his detractors wrong, as the midfielder ruled out an imminent departure from Real Madrid.
The 31-year-old, going to the global showpiece tournament for the third time, is Belgium captain but has barely played for Real this season after falling out of favour under coach Carlo Ancelotti. He has only six appearances in La Liga and the Champions League combined and has scored only one goal.
Hazard, however, is comparing the situation to the European Championship in 2021 when he also went into the competition lacking game time.
“I’m keeping my smile,” he told reporters on Monday. “I’ve had a difficult few months where I haven’t been able to gain much rhythm. I now have to show that I can still do it. I don’t doubt it myself, but I understand that the outside world does.
“Just like at the last Euros. I gained minutes in the first matches and was there in the quarter-final against Portugal. Our medical and technical staff will help me (be ready).
“I feel good physically. Of course, I miss rhythm, that’s why the last practice match against Egypt (is important). Then I want to be there for the first match (in Qatar).”
Belgium play Egypt in Kuwait in a warm-up match on Friday and a fit and firing Hazard is key for coach Roberto Martinez as leader of their so-called “Golden Generation”.
“I have not suddenly lost my qualities. This will be my third World Cup and I want to show that Belgium can still count on its captain and that I want to give everything (for the team),” he added.
“Together with a few other boys, I have reached an age where you can drop out (of the team). But not before going all out in Qatar first.”
Belgium, who finished third at the 2018 World Cup, have been drawn in Group F and open their campaign against Canada on Nov 23, before taking on Morocco and Croatia.
“Our first focus should be on surviving the group stage,” Hazard said. “Then anything is possible if we give the maximum. Quarter-final, semi-final or even the final.”
Hazard also reiterated he has no plans to leave Real in January, adding that “maybe things will be different” after the World Cup.
Martinez, meanwhile, has defended Hazard following criticism of his skipper’s fitness struggles.
Speaking to talkSPORT earlier in November, he said: “Eden Hazard can have bad games and can have moments when he’s not at his best. People say it’s because of his body shape or he’s carrying too much body fat.
“Well... he’s carrying the same body fat when he makes a difference. You need to understand that it’s a player based on his talent and not a player based on the physicality he brings to the game.
“He’s got his strengths in taking people on in this one-v-one action. If he doesn’t play well, then the easy comment, the lazy comment, is that he’s not as thin or athletic as he should be. I think that’s an irrelevant comment.” REUTERS