CORNERFLICK
Eden Hazard has backed Lamine Yamal to have a strong World Cup, while also naming Kylian Mbappe as his pick to finish as the tournament's top scorer.
The former Real Madrid and Belgium forward, now 35, compared Yamal to himself at the start of his career. He said the Spain winger reminded him of how much was expected of him at a similar age, but added that Yamal would do well if he simply enjoyed his football.
Hazard said Yamal was the kind of player fans want to watch and argued that football is about giving people reasons to dream.
He also reserved praise for Thibaut Courtois, describing the goalkeeper as "the best" and saying he stands in a different class from Emiliano Martinez. Hazard said Courtois has proved himself in big moments, and pointed to his height, shot-stopping and ability with the ball at his feet.
On the Golden Boot race, Hazard said there were still many contenders, but finished by tipping Mbappe to end the World Cup as top scorer.