Belgium captain Eden Hazard retires from international football

Belgium captain Eden Hazard has announced that he is retiring from international football with immediate effect.

The 31-year-old is regarded as one of the nation's greatest-ever players, contributing 33 goals and 36 assists from 126 appearances.

However, the Real Madrid playmaker has just featured in a disjointed World Cup campaign, the Red Devils being eliminated before the knockout stages.

Despite edging past Canada in their opening match, Belgium performed poorly, and a shock defeat to Morocco was followed by a goalless draw with Croatia which saw them finish in third place in Group F.

Although Hazard started the first two fixtures, he was dropped for the third, only being introduced in the 87th minute in a crucial match against the 2018 runners-up to mark an unsatisfactory end to what has otherwise been a stellar career for his country.

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Writing on his Instagram page, Hazard said: "A page turns today. Thank you for your love. 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 ends his international career after a 14-year stint, his collection of 126 caps seeing him sit in fourth spot in the all-time list for his country.

The former Chelsea star is also only second to Romelu Lukaku when it comes to goals, although Hazard's 33 strikes is less than half of Lukaku's 68 efforts.

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Of Hazard's 126 outings, as many as 23 have come at the World Cup or European Championship, chipping in with four goals and nine assists.

Nevertheless, Hazard's career has been on a downward trajectory ever since he departed Chelsea for Real in 2019 for a fee which theoretically could have reached €150m.

In nearly three-and-a-half years, Hazard has made just 72 appearances for the Spanish giants and he has only played 14 minutes of football for Los Blancos since the middle of October.

Although Hazard has ruled out a departure in January, an exit from the Santiago Bernabeu will eventually transpire with less than 19 months remaining on his contract.