Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi, Dec 7: Belgium captain Eden Hazard has announced his retirement from international football on Wednesday after his team eliminated in the group-stages of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
The Real Madrid winger made this announcement on Instagram and said that, he has decided to end his international career with the succession ready.
“A page turns today. Thank you for your unparalleled support. Thank you for all this happiness shared since 2008. I have decided to put an end to my international career. The succession is ready. I will miss you,” Hazard posted on his Instagram account.
For many years, Hazard has served as the face of Belgian soccer and its golden age. He made his debut for his country on the international stage in 2008, and since then, he has accumulated 126 caps and 33 goals.
He led his team to a third-place finish as one of the finest players at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. However, the 31-year-old has opted to put up his boots after a poor showing in this World Cup.
Belgium defeated Canada 1-0 to win their opening game. But in their second game, the Red Devils were shocked by Morocco and lost 2-0. In their final group-stage match against the runners-up from last year, Croatia, they needed a victory but were held to a scoreless draw.
In addition to receiving the title of Belgian Sportsman of the Year in 2018, Hazard was named Belgian Footballer of the Year in 2017, 2018, and 2019.
The Belgian joined Chelsea in 2012 after leaving French club Lille, and he quickly established himself as one of the top players in the Premier League, making 245 appearances and tallying 85 goals for the Blues.
With Chelsea, he won two Premier League championships, two Europa Leagues, one FA Cup, and one EFL Cup. He then received a lucrative transfer to Real Madrid in 2019, where he won the UEFA Champions League in 2021–2022, two Spanish Super Cups, and La Liga twice.
