Belgium icon Eden Hazard heaps praise on Lamine Yamal: ‘Reminds me of myself’

Belgium icon Eden Hazard heaps praise on Lamine Yamal: ‘Reminds me of myself’ It has been almost three years since Eden Hazard shocked the entire footballing world by deciding to retire at the age of 32. The retirement came on the back of poor performances at Real Madrid, injuries and an overall struggle with fitness, with Hazard deciding that he was no longer fit to thrive in top-level football. Three years into his retirement, Hazard is now a keen observer of the sport and has recently offered his thoughts on Lamine Yamal. What Hazard said about Yamal Hazard believes Yamal is a special player. (Photo by Harry Murphy/Getty Images for Premier League) In an interview with MARCA , Hazard drew a personal comparison between himself and the Barcelona teenager, recalling the weight of expectation he carried at a similar stage of his own career. “Lamine Yamal reminds me a little of when I started playing. I was about the same age, and everyone was putting big expectations on me,” Hazard said. The former Chelsea and Real Madrid star is convinced that if the youngster continues to play with freedom and joy, he will light up the World Cup. “In the end, if he enjoys himself on the pitch the way only he knows how to do, I’m convinced he’ll deliver a big World Cup. He’s the kind of player people love to watch,” he added. Hazard, who at his peak was one of the most exciting attackers in world football, also reflected on what he believes lies at the heart of the game. “That’s the essence of football: you have to enjoy it and make people dream,” he concluded. Not yet firing on all cylinders It has been a muted World Cup for Yamal so far. (Photo by Charlotte Wilson/Getty Images) Hazard’s statement, though, comes at a time when Yamal hasn’t really performed at the World Cup and has faced slight criticism . Having returned from a hamstring injury that ended his club season prematurely, the winger has been eased back into action, and Spain as a whole have yet to hit their fluent best despite reaching the latter stages of the tournament. However, there have been some positive signs in recent matches, with the youngster putting up dangerous displays against Austria and Portugal. One would expect him to have a bigger impact as Spain take on Hazard’s home country, Belgium, in the quarterfinals.