Neymar, Ronaldo, Messi bow out with Hazard taking over as WC star

When Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo were sent packing from the World Cup a week ago, the stage was set for Brazil’s Neymar to take over the role of the tournament’s true star. But it is now Belgium’s Eden Hazard who is making the strongest bid for that crown.

On Friday night in Kazan, Neymar too saw his World Cup end prematurely, as a Brazil team packed with talent but over-reliant on the forward’s inconsistent individual contribution, were beaten 2-1 by a brilliant Belgium team, inspired by the gifted Hazard.

The semi-final clash against France will give a chance for the 19-year-old Frenchman Kylian Mbappe to make his claim to be tournament’s most exciting talent and final itself could throw up another contender but at this stage it is Hazard who is setting the standard.