2018 World Cup Team of the Tournament: Belgian star Hazard top rated player

Belgium arguably played the best football at the 2018 World Cup and captain Eden Hazard finished the tournament as the highest WhoScored rated player (8.53).

Hazard won the WhoScored Man of the Match award in four of his six appearances at the tournament and claimed second place in FIFA’s Golden Ball award despite the fact Belgium finished third.

Real Madrid have been heavily linked with a move for the 27-year-old since Cristiano Ronaldo’s shock departure and Hazard’s performances in Russia have only increased the likelihood of a summer switch.

Only Harry Kane and Antoine Griezmann (both 6) played a direct hand in more goals than Hazard (5), who was a constant threat for defences with his unbelievable close control and dribbling ability.

It comes as no surprise that Hazard completed more dribbles than any other player at the 2018 World Cup (40), while also winning the most fouls (27). It’s so hard to stop Hazard at full speed that often the only way to get near him is to bring him down illegally.

In fact, of the 20 players that attempted at least 15 dribbles at the 2018 World Cup, Hazard had the fourth best success rate (76.9%). Even more impressive you consider he attempted at least 33 more dribbles than those above him.

Hazard wasn’t just world class in possession, but the Belgium forward was also superb without it. Hazard won possession in the attacking third on nine occasions at the 2018 World Cup, more than any other player.