WORLD 2022 – Roberto Martinez “wonders if Hazard can still play 90 minutes”

Can we imagine a World Cup without Eden Hazard with Belgium? In lack of playing time at Real Madrid (he has only been used three times since the start of the season in La Liga), the captain of the Red Devils is the subject of many debates as to his status in the national team, for the World Cup in Qatar (November 20 – December 18). With Belgium, Hazard was lined up for about 60 minutes twice last week in the League of Nations, appearing lacking in rhythm against Wales (2-1) and the Netherlands (0-1). Martinez hopes and notes, however, that “his situation may change enormously over the next five weeks“.

“Eden has not chained matches for a very long time, and that has consequences. We will take stock of his situation as the World Cup approaches, and we will see what role we can give him. But I don’t see him as a joker (…), he is a player who must take the rhythm of the match in hand, from the start of the match“, said the Catalan coach. The Spanish coach further assures that”Eden Hazard is still a very important player for the national team, that’s 100% sure. His experience, his influence on opponents, his ability to eliminate a man, to create danger… In this profile, he is, in my opinion, one of the best in the world. Always up to date“.

Nightclub outing

Roberto Martinez also returned to a controversy born after Hazard was seen in a nightclub in Brussels, two days before the match in the Netherlands on September 25. “He was allowed to spend time with family or friends. There is a very clear story behind it, but I’m not going to talk about it in public, it will be handled internally. I would hate for this to repeat itself, but there is a story behind it“, explained the coach. Belgium have been placed in Group F, where they will face Canada (November 23), Morocco (27) and Croatia (December 1).