Eden Hazard – I would have given the World Cup Golden Ball to… Myself
Posted Monday, July 16, 2018 by squawka.com
Eden Hazard has made the bold statement that he should have been awarded the Golden Ball accolade for the best player at the World Cup.
The 27-year-old terrorised the England defence in Belgium's 2-0 third-place playoff win, scoring the second goal to bring his tournament tally to three goals and two assists.
Hazard also outshone Neymar in Belgium's 2-1 quarter-final win over Brazil and completed more take-ons than any other player in Russia this summer.
However, his exploits during the quadrennial tournament appear to have gone unnoticed as Luka Modric clinched the prestigious award for his efforts in helping Croatia to the World Cup final.
Speaking to BeIN Sports France (via Sport) about who should have received the Golden Ball, Hazard said: "I'd give it to me, but of course, I don't choose.
"I think they'll give it to someone who is playing in the final."
That final was contested today between France and Croatia, with Les Bleus triumphing 4-2 on the day to win the World Cup in emphatic fashion.
Hazard will now be turning his attention to club football, where it is still unclear where his future lies.
Hazard has played 300 games for Chelsea since arriving at Stamford Bridge in 2012, but following Cristiano Ronaldo's sensational move to Juventus, he is being strongly linked with Real Madrid, and Hazard has made no secret of his desire to join Los Blancos.
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