Hazard admits he is no longer the player he was but can still do ‘great things’
Eden Hazard has admitted that he is no longer the player he once was but insisted that he can still do "great things".
The Belgium captain has struggled for form and fitness since joining Real Madrid from Chelsea back in 2019, playing just 72 times for the Spanish giants since. However, he is set to captain his country once again Qatar, having won the silver ball as Belgium came third four years ago in Russia.
Ahead of their opening match against Canada on Wednesday, Hazard has opened up on the changes in his performances since the previous World Cup.
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Speaking to L'Equipe, he explained: “To be honest, this level of 2018, I no longer have it. I do not show it, but I suffered too much, mentally and physically. I’m not ashamed to say it.
“In 2018, I was maybe in the top 10 in the world. Am I going to come back to it? I don’t think so. But if my body allows me, I can still do great things.”
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In Russia, Hazard scored three goals and added two assists in six appearances as Belgium made it to the semi-finals before losing to eventual winners France.
As a reward for his performances, Hazard was named the tournament's second best player, behind Luka Modric and ahead of Antoine Griezmann. He was also included in the team of the tournament.
Hazard goes into this year's World Cup with 123 caps to his name and 33 goals in international football. He has only played six times for Real Madrid so far this season, though, scoring once and providing a single assist.
His lack of consistent game time in the Spanish capital has seen the 31-year-old be linked with a return to the Premier League in the new year. Both Aston Villa and Newcastle United are rumoured to be weighing up a January move for the former Chelsea star.
Before any transfer materialises, though, Hazard will be hoping to recapture his previous form in Qatar, with Belgium following their opening match with Canada by taking on Morocco and Croatia in group F.
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