Injury-threatened Eden Hazard quits Belgium national team

Real Madrid’s Eden Hazard has confirmed his retirement from Belgium national team.

The 32-year-old told RTBF in an interview that the fact that he hasn’t been regular for Real Madrid has diminished his chances of playing getting back to his National team.

“I couldn’t see myself not playing for Real Madrid and then getting to the national team and playing,” Hazard told RTBF.

“I’m not coming back, I’m 100 percent sure.

Hazard pointed out that he’s not willing to do what Zinedine Zidane, Lionel Messi or Zlatan Ibrahimovic did in the past by clinging on their respective National teams for so long.

“I don’t see myself doing that and it’s never been in my head.

“I think they retired… reluctantly? Well, I think we all retired a bit reluctantly when we left the national team in this way. Especially given my personal history.

“They still played in clubs, I play much less.”

Reacting to the phone call he received from the king of Belgium, he said that the detail of the conversation remains between both of them only.

“King Philippe called me, but what we talked about stays between us,” Hazard added.

“In football you should never say never, but I have many other things to do.

“For example, I want to spend more time with my children, with my family.

“I don’t see myself backing down on my decision on a whim.

“I started to think about it after the Euros. At that time, I had worked a lot, I got injured, I couldn’t play against Italy.

“Toni Kroos retired from the German national team two years ago and told me that when other players are with the national team, he can enjoy his time with his children.”

He also confirmed that he had a “good relationship” with former Belgian coach Roberto Martinez, stressing that he was surprised that Thierry Henry, who was his turned down the Belgium job after the departure of the former.

Hazard has endured an several set backs due to injury since joining Real Madrid from Chelsea few years ago.