The World Cup in Qatar is just a few days away, an event that Belgium will be attending with Eden Hazard as captain. Roberto Martinez, the team's coach, has come to the defence of the Real Madrid striker, who is often criticised for his physical condition.
Belgium coach Roberto Martinez has spoken to 'talkSPORT' about Eden Hazard, the current Real Madrid striker and captain of the Belgian national team.
And the Spanish coach used the interview to come to the defence of the Belgian striker, who is often criticised for his physical condition: "Eden Hazard can have bad games and he can have moments when he is not at his best. People say that it's because of his shape, that he has too much body fat? But well, he has the same body fat when he is the difference.
"You have to understand that Eden Hazard is a player based on his talent and not a player based on the physicality he brings to the game. If he doesn't play well, then the easy comment is that he is not as athletic as he should be. I think that's an irrelevant and lazy comment. Hazard can have good games and bad games, but he has always had the same body," added Roberto Martinez.
The Belgium coach also made it clear that he has absolute faith in Hazard as his team's leader ahead of the World Cup in Qatar: "He's very talented. He was born to play football. I think he's one of those people you see that makes a difference. He has that natural talent. Then he has that wonderful human quality, he lights up the room when he comes in. He's one of those quiet leaders that you enjoy working with, because they're exceptional at playing football, but so normal despite having that great talent."