Euro 2020: I broke my ankle 3 times, it might by no means be the identical once more, says Belgium captain Eden Hazard

Belgium captain Hazard will begin for the primary time in Euro 2020 in his nation’s final Group B match in opposition to Finland in St Petersburg on Monday, his coach Roberto Martinez confirmed. But the 28-year-old attacker mentioned he may not be able to compete the total 90 minutes. Belgium’s Eden Hazard warms up with teammates throughout a coaching session of the nationwide group at Petrovsky stadium in St Petersburg
(Courtesy: AP)HIGHLIGHTSBelgium will lock horns with Finland on MondayBelgium are already via to the final 16Belgium are one of many favourites to win Euro 2020Top-ranked Belgium are tipped as one of many Euro 2020 favourites, however their star participant and captain Eden Hazard has been fighting match health forward of their final Group B match in opposition to Finland in St Petersburg on Monday.Hazard will begin for the primary time within the Euro 2020, his coach Roberto Martinez confirmed. But the 28-year-old attacker mentioned he may not be able to compete the total 90 minutes.Hazard mentioned his quite a few ankle fractures meant it will by no means be the identical because it was 10 years in the past however he was decided to show he might nonetheless carry out on the highest stage on the European Championship.”I never doubted my qualities, but whether I would be 100% fit for the European Championship was going to be a question. I broke my ankle three times, it will never be the same as 10 years ago. But I know that when I am in shape, that I can prove myself on the field and that’s what I’m working on now,” said Hazard he told in a news conference on Sunday.”I’m not 100% but, however I’m prepared to start out. But that was the plan, to carry me alongside regularly. It’s particularly vital to be utterly match within the knockout part. Then I’ve to be in high form,” added Hazard.Hazard was used a substitute in Belgium’s opening games, a thumping 3-0 win over Russia in St Petersburg and a come-from-behind win over Denmark in Copenhagen. He had been a fitness doubt in Belgium’s pre-tournament preparations after an injury-filled season at Real Madrid.Two wins out of two for Belgium mean they are through to the last 16, and Martinez is using the game against the Finns to ensure Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne and Axel Witsel, also back from injury, get more game time.”We will see how the match goes, however I might not be prepared for 90 minutes. But I’ll play as many minutes as attainable at a excessive stage. If it’s 50 minutes, it will likely be 50. If it’s 60, it will likely be 60. We’ll see,” mentioned Hazard.Click right here for IndiaToday.in’s full protection of the coronavirus pandemic.