JAKARTA - Belgium is still looking forward to the magical touch of captain Eden Hazard but initially did not expect this player to shine straight in the World Cup after almost never playing for Real Madrid during this season, wing-back Timothy Castagne was quoted as saying by Antara from AFP, Sunday, November 20.

The 31-year-old forward suffered an injury which disappointed him for three years at Madrid ang making him fail to meet his expectations after seven years of brilliant play with Chelsea.

He struggled to maintain his place in the first team or find his best form and has only been started twice by Real during the season although since last season he started in six of the seven Belgian national team games.

Castagne asked fans not to expect too much from Hazard.

"For Belgium, fans want to rediscover Eden's performance a few years ago," said Castagne on Salwa Beach, 90 kilometers south of Doha.

"It's not easy coming here without a rhythm of the game, so it takes time. He won't be there right away (at his best)."

Hazard is an important part of the Belgian team that reached the semifinals of the World Cup in Russia four years ago scoring two goals in a 5-2 win over Tunisia and one more goal when they beat England 2-0.

A year later he moved from London to Madrid for a 100 million euro transfer plus bonus that would make him Real's all-time most expensive signing.

But that move didn't go the way he expected. Hazard even became an unused substitute when Real beat Liverpool 1-0 in the Champions League in May.

Hazard admits he can leave Real later this season but is still hoping to be successful with Madrid.

"He will need an outstanding performance at the World Cup to convince Real Carlo coach Ancelotti to give him another regular place or contract update that expires in the next 18 months. Belgium is still looking forward to the magical touch of captain Eden Hazard but initially did not expect this player to shine straight in the World Cup after almost never playing for Real Madrid this season, wing-back Timothy Castagne was quoted as saying by AFP on Sunday.

The 31-year-old forward suffered an injury which disappointed him for three years at Madrid ang making him fail to meet his expectations after seven years of brilliant play with Chelsea.

He struggled to maintain his place in the first team or find his best form and has only been started twice by Real during the season although since last season he has been named a starter in six of the seven Belgian national team games.

Castagne asked fans not to expect too much from Hazard.

"For Belgium, fans want to rediscover Eden's performance a few years ago," said Castagne on Salwa Beach, 90 kilometers south of Doha.

"It's not easy coming here without a rhythm of the game, so it takes time. He won't be there right away (at his best)."

Hazard is an important part of the Belgian team that reached the semifinals of the World Cup in Russia four years ago scoring two goals in a 5-2 win over Tunisia and one more goal when they beat England 2-0.

A year later he moved from London to Madrid for a 100 million euro transfer plus bonus that would make him Real's all-time most expensive signing.

But that move didn't go the way he expected. Hazard even became an unused substitute when Real beat Liverpool 1-0 in the Champions League in May.

Hazard admits he can leave Real later this season but is still hoping to be successful with Madrid.

He will need an outstanding performance at the World Cup to convince Real Carlo coach Ancelotti to give him a regular place or contract update that expires in the next 18 months.


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