Eden Hazard’s national team career is in the package. Tear gas and water cannons thundered in the Brussels evening.
Belgium underperformed at the World Cup in Qatar and was left in the preliminary stages, which was a huge disappointment for the “golden generation” looking for success.
Eden Hazard, 31, had been thinking about his decision to quit since the beginning of the season. The Belgian made his debut in the national team at the age of 17. Hazard, who plays for Real Madrid, also served as the captain of the national team.
Hazard played a total of 126 games for the Red Devils. The attacker marked 33 goals, 36 assists leading to goals.
Eden Hazard won bronze at the World Cup in Russia in 2018. PDO
– Today I’m turning the page. Thank you for your love. Thank you for your exceptional support. Thank you for all the enjoyable moments we have shared since 2008. Today I decided to end my international career. The next generation is ready. I will miss you, Hazard wrote in his Instagram post.
Hazard has suffered from injuries in recent years and playing minutes have been under a rock in the club team.
Marca: The Spaniards want Martinez
The head coach of the Belgian national team also changes when Roberto Martinez steps aside. Martinez was going to finish at the helm of Belgium anyway, and the poor race success had no effect on that.
There were still tears when he announced that he was leaving after the Games.
– This was my last match as a coach in the national team. This is very emotional. I can’t go on. I said goodbye to the players and staff, commented Martinez, who has been Belgium’s head coach since 2016, after the last match of the first group.
The Spanish games were also a minor victory, and the Spaniard Marca set up a vote for the next coach. Out of the four options, the vote was won by Roberto Martinez.
Brussels confused by Moroccan revelers
Hazard hugged Martinez after the Croatia match. EPA/AOP
Morocco’s shock victory over Spain on Tuesday led to chaotic conditions in Brussels, news reports Nieuwsblad. Moroccans and people of Moroccan background celebrated the victory in large numbers. Flags, fireworks, speeding cars and singing filled the streets.
Before the match, the police had already prepared for unrest. Shops had been closed prematurely due to possible disturbances. At first, the police followed the party from a distance, until the police squad went through the crowd.
Human chains did not help calm the situation. In the end, the police had to resort to tear gas and water cannons.
In Brussels, the World Cup in Qatar has already caused unrest in the past. The loss of Belgium took a toll on the country, as did the securing of Morocco’s first group victory.