The look on Roberto Martinez’s face said everything. One minute into Belgium’s penultimate World Cup warm-up, against Egypt, and there was Eden Hazard crumpled on the floor, writhing in agony.

It would be wrong to say Martinez is under intense pressure as he heads out to Russia but he is acutely aware of the expectation on him to lead Belgium past England out of Group G. The thought of losing his talisman, then, left his brow furrowed with a combination of fear and fury.

For some reason, though, the panic did not consume the 27,274 who were inside the King Baudouin Stadium on Wednesday. Had this been England and Harry Kane, for example, you would have felt dread seep from every fan and silence spread until everyone knew everything was OK.

Eden Hazard is key to Belgium's chances of success at this summer's World Cup

When he eventually rose to his feet, Hazard played a different game from everyone else — including Kevin De Bruyne — for the part he played in a 3-0 win; all rat-a-tat passing and darting runs, gliding around challenges as if wearing ice skates. He made the first with a shot that could not be held and scored the second.

Again, however, the response was not as it should be. It was not adulation or devotion.

Hazard, you see, has an unusual relationship with Belgium. The French-speaking side of the country views him as being untouchable, having followed his career religiously from his days as a novice playing for Lille. They have no doubt about his worth.

Hazard suffered a scare in a friendly against Egypt when he went down writhing in agony

Hazard scored Belgium's second during a brilliant display in their win over Egypt

But the Flemish are behind De Bruyne, whose role has been altered by Martinez to allow Hazard to flourish. Hazard’s critics feel he should make way for Manchester City’s magician, having not forgotten that he failed to deliver on the hype at the 2014 World Cup and Euro 2016.

It is a curious that someone with his extravagant gifts could be in such a situation, yet this is how it is. Hazard should have a nation united in excitement but, really, they are looking and expecting him to deliver them the success to which they feel entitled.

‘Eden has got a special ability that people want to pay to watch,’ said Martinez, who had no hesitation in making him his captain. ‘He plays like he’s on the street. He just wants to get the ball, beat his man and then go right or left. He brings an incredible sense of normality to his football.’

He also looks to be coming to the boil at the right time. Hazard was directly responsible for 11 goals in World Cup qualification (scored six, assisted five) and he has just come off a domestic campaign that concluded with him converting the penalty that secured the FA Cup for Chelsea.

Hazard has not always enjoyed playing for Belgium — he was disciplined once by former coach Georges Leekens for leaving the King Baudouin Stadium, after being substituted, to go for a hamburger – but he is thriving in red under Martinez.

‘It has been great to see him over the last two years and the maturity that has come from his performances,’ said Martinez. ‘It has been a really nice feeling to see a shared responsibility with the players. I mean there is a real togetherness and Eden, as the captain, has been leading that.

Belgium head coach Roberto Martinez will be reliant on Hazard as he will on his other players

‘I don’t think it’s a case of him not being appreciated: I just think he is an old-fashioned footballer in that respect. You won’t see him trying to get attention by going out and getting the latest haircut or try and do something in any shape or form to get the spotlight.

‘He comes from a family where his dad is football mad and plays for the team in his village. His mum used to be a footballer. You have got Thorgan [younger brother], who is here in the squad, and he has got another two brothers who play football too.

‘They live and breathe it. What he has got is old-fashioned values. All he wants to do is enjoy his football.’

Kevin De Bruyne is another one of Belgium's key players who can unlock a tight defence

Enjoyment will certainly come if he can sparkle in a game against England in Kaliningrad that has the feel of a local derby, given how familiar we are with Martinez’s squad.

Yet, more than anything, Hazard knows that if he is ever going to get the move to Real Madrid about which he has always dreamed, this has to be the moment he stamps his presence on the global stage: be under no illusion he is good enough to do so. This is his time.

‘I am a leader on the pitch but we have a lot of players who can talk,’ said Hazard. ‘They can all say something; I am not the only captain. What I try to do is my best on the pitch, be the leader on the pitch.

‘We know what we are. We are good players, we all play in the big games in England, in Italy and in Spain, so we know what to do. We have a golden generation; now we just want to win something.’