Eden Hazard has admitted even he didn’t know why Leandro Trossard wasn’t playing ahead of him for Belgium at the World Cup.

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 12: Leandro Trossard of Arsenal attempts to cross the ball whilst under pressure from Kenny Tete of Fulham during the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Arsenal FC at Craven Cottage on March 12, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Leandro Trossard of Arsenal attempts to cross the ball whilst under pressure from Kenny Tete of Fulham during the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Arsenal FC at Craven Cottage on March 12, 2023. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

In the build-up to the winter World Cup, Real Madrid winger Eden Hazard was struggling for minutes.

The 32-year-old only played 71 minutes of club football in October and November, before linking up with Belgium for a friendly on November 18th.

Meanwhile, Leandro Trossard was playing a regular role for Brighton and Hove Albion, scoring five goals over that same period – all against Liverpool, Manchester City, and Chelsea!

Yet when the international break came around, it was Hazard in the starting lineup for Belgium’s friendly defeat to Egypt, and then Hazard in the starting lineup for the opening two games of the World Cup.

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That raised plenty of questions, and Hazard says he’s not surprised or hurt by the speculation.

“Not at all. We were talking about the name of Leandro Trossard to replace me, he was having a good season,” Hazard said. “Even I wondered why I had to play when he had to go on the bench.

“It’s normal for people to think that. Especially after the game against Egypt, where we don’t play a good game, where I don’t play a good game.

“It is football, there are young people who grow, who want to take the place. When I started at 16 in Lille, I took the place of Michel Bastos or another. Players who were there, in place. It’s normal, it’s football.”

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 12: Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal celebrates after scoring the team's second goal with teammate Leandro Trossard during the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Arsenal FC at Craven Cottage on March 12, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal celebrates after scoring the team’s second goal with teammate Leandro Trossard during the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Arsenal FC at Craven Cottage on March 12, 2023. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

Hazard confirmed in December that he’s now retired from international football, opening the door for the likes of Trossard to get a regular starting role in the Belgium team.

Trossard’s Arsenal form should certainly give him a great shot at starts later this month, as Belgium take on Sweden and Germany in Euro qualifiers.

The 28-year-old has six goals or assists in 10 games (six starts) for Arsenal, following his January transfer.

Belgium are yet to announce their squad for the March break, but it shouldn’t be too long now. Albert Sambi Lokonga will also be hoping he’s done enough for a call-up under new boss Domenico Tedesco.

They face Sweden on Friday, 24th March at 19:45 GMT, before taking on Germany on Tuesday, 28th March at 19:45 as well. Both games are away from home.

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