Painful encounter: Picture of the swollen ankle of Brazil’s Neymar after the Serbia game. — AFP
EDEN Hazard has called on World Cup referees to protect players like him and Neymar.
Belgium winger Hazard was the second-most fouled player at the tournament after the first round of matches, behind Brazil star Neymar.
But while Hazard came through the 1-0 win over Canada unscathed, Neymar looks set to miss his side’s final two group matches after going off injured against Serbia.
“I always say if there is a foul on me it means I have the ball, so it’s a good sign, it’s part of my game,” said the 31-year-old.
“More players with the ball like me, like Neymar, like Vinicius Junior, we can receive fouls. We have to deal with it. There is no problem, it’s part of the game.
“I just hope opponents can have yellow cards more often than now, because then they will stop the fouls. But it’s part of the game, if you don’t want to get fouled don’t get the ball, that’s it.”
Hazard has struggled for form and fitness at club level with Real Madrid, playing just over 70 minutes of football this season.
But the former Chelsea winger almost matched that figure against the Canadians and insists he is ready to go again when Belgium face Morocco today.
“So far I’m feeling great, I played 65 minutes, I played well, but I think we can all improve as a team,” he added.
“The recovery period is going very well. I felt good during the hour or so I had on the pitch. The next match is four days later but the recovery has been good. Playing is the most important thing for me.”
Hazard also acknowledged Belgium had a better chance of winning the World Cup when their “golden generation” were at their peak in 2018. — AFP
