Cristiano Ronaldo did not play the last matches of the World Cup – Eden Hazard feels Leandro Trossard should have started ahead of him in Qatar

Belgium’s veteran Eden Hazard feels Arsenal’s Leandro Trossard should have replaced him in the starting XI in the World Cup. Belgium started their campaign with a win against Canada but they were stunned by eventual semifinalist Morocco and could only manage a goalless draw against Croatia. Thus, they could not qualify for the Round-of-16.

Meanwhile, Eden Hazard started in two matches whereas the then Belgium coach Roberto Martinez decided to start Leandro Trossard in a solitary game. Trossard was in good form before the quadrennial event as he scored seven goals and provided three assists in 17 matches across competitions while playing for his previous club Brighton.

Hazard feels he should have been kept on the bench just like Fernando Santos decided to keep Cristiano Ronaldo on the sidelines.

When asked whether or not he was saddened to hear calls for retirement, Hazard said while talking to 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. It is football, there are young people who grow, who want to take the place.”

Meanwhile, Hazard decided to call time on his International career on Monday. He scored 33 goals for Belgium in the 133 appearances for the national team but failed to win a major trophy.