For years everyone in Belgium has been talking about the "golden generation" around stars like Kevin de Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Thibaut Courtois. The 2022 World Cup was dubbed the last big fight of the somewhat aging star generation. A fight that ended in the group stage. Now, with Eden Hazard, one of the pioneers of the "Golden Generation" has ended his national team career.

In Belgium, alongside Germany and Italy, there is currently the greatest sadness in football. Although the (old) star ensemble showed a better side in the last group game against Croatia, like the DFB team, they failed due to an absurdly bad conversion of chances. As expected, Eden Hazard could not play a really big role. The 31-year-old attacker remained without a goal throughout the tournament and had to settle for a bench spot in the last game against Croatia.

The real star, who hardly gets a chance at his club and is far from his prime form, has drawn consequences: Hazard ended his international career on Wednesday. Overall, the once brilliant winger has 126 caps and 33 goals. However, he was not granted the big title with the Red Devils.Hazard will now concentrate on his club career. He currently has a contract with the royals until 2024. If the former Chelsea star wants to find a worthy exit from professional football, he would have to change clubs as quickly as possible.

This article was originally published on 90min.de as Eden Hazard no longer for Belgium: Pioneer of the "Golden Generation" resigns.