Hazard Speaks On Surprise Over Decision With Arsenal’s Leandro Trossard

Eden Hazard has revealed that he also questioned why he was selected to start over Arsenal’s midfielder Leandro Trossard during the World Cup Despite his limited playing time at Real Madrid.

Hazard was named in the starting lineup for Belgium’s first two group games, resulting in a 1-0 victory over Canada and a loss to Morocco.

However, Hazard was benched for their final group match, a goalless draw against Croatia, which led to Belgium’s elimination.

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Trossard, who had a strong performance for Brighton prior to the World Cup, was given his first start in this game, and Hazard believes he deserved more playing time in Qatar.

When asked if he felt hurt by people suggesting his time with Belgium’s was coming to an end during the World Cup, Hazard told RTBF: ‘Not at all.

‘We were talking about the name of Leandro Trossard to replace me, he was having a good season.

‘Even I wondered why I had to play when he had to go on the bench. It’s normal for people to think that.

‘Especially after the game against Egypt, where we don’t play a good game, where I don’t play a good game.

‘Cristiano Ronaldo did not play the last matches of the World Cup with Portugal, and yet it is Cristiano with Portugal, it is even more than Eden with Belgium.

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‘It is football, there are young people who grow, who want to take the place. When I started at the age of 16 with Lille, I took the place of Michel Bastos or someone else. Players who were there, in place. It’s normal, it’s football.’

Hazard also explained why he stepped away from Belgium’s national team after the World Cup.

‘There are several factors. I started thinking about it after the Euros,’ Hazard said.

‘At the time, I had worked a lot, I got injured, I couldn’t play against Italy. It really hurt my morale. There are a lot of things.

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‘I’m here in Madrid with Toni Kroos who left the German national team two years ago and who tells me that when the other players are in the national team, he can enjoy with his children.

‘And then, the coach left, we had a very good relationship. There are also young people who are growing. I couldn’t see myself not playing for Real Madrid and then arriving in the national team and playing, when young people deserve to play for the Devils.’