There are few better footballers in the modern era who would be able to lay claim to the same levels of success that Eden Hazard has enjoyed domestically.
The Belgian winger enjoyed a trophy-laden stint at Chelsea, where he won two Premier League titles, two Europa League crowns and two domestic cups. Hazard has since gone on to conquer Europe since with Real Madrid after a lavish, big-money switch in the summer of 2019, winning both the Champions League and the UEFA Super Cup.
Hazard has no doubt been aided by the plethora of superstars he's played alongside domestically at both clubs. But even though the 31-year-old plays alongside some of Europe's most esteemed players for his country, he has been unable to replicate his domestic success on the international stage.
As the captain of the Belgium national team, Hazard is about to head into his third - and likely final - World Cup. The former Stamford Bridge favourite is the figurehead of a side littered with high-calibre players: a Belgium squad that has long been dubbed the 'Golden Generation'.
But Belgium's star-studded ranks have failed to deliver on the biggest stage - something that is not lost on Hazard.
"There's always talk of the 'Golden Generation' but there's some truth to it. We've spent almost 10 years together. Now we've got young players starting to come through," the Belgian skipper said last month.
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"Of course, we've got an incredible generation of players, but we still haven't won anything. If we really want to earn that 'golden generation' nickname, I think that's the one thing we still need to do."
For the likes of Hazard and other names including Kevin De Bruyne, Jan Vertonghen, Toby Alderweireld and Thibaut Courtois, the tournament in Qatar is their last chance to live up to the lofty expectations that have been placed upon them.
Belgium will head to Qatar with a squad that will be the envy of many of their rivals for the top prize: the old guard has been complimented by the likes of Leicester's Wout Faes and Youri Tielemans, while Leandro Trossard and AC Milan starlet Charles De Ketelaere will ease the goalscoring burden placed on Hazard and Romelu Lukaku.
But remarkably, for a team ranked second in the FIFA world rankings, Belgium will have to venture into unchartered territory in the Middle East if their illustrious squad are to finally recognise their unfulfilled potential.
Led by Roberto Martinez, Hazard and company will be bidding to avenge their third-placed finish in Russia four years ago. After eliminating Brazil, Belgium were swept aside by France in Saint Petersburg to consign them to a play-off match with England (who know a thing or two about golden generations).
But nothing but a win in Qatar will vindicate that tag that was handed to Belgium's array of superstars over a decade ago - and unfortunately, they may have been better placed to achieve that back in Russia.
The likes of Vertonghen and Alderweireld have been stalwarts for Belgium but have seen better days. De Bruyne has, as ever, been sensational in the Premier League for Manchester City, but Hazard and Lukaku have been plagued by injuries and head into the tournament desperately out of form.
Belgium could still be buoyed by other names who head into Qatar in rude health: Trossard may not carry the same superstar status as some of his international colleagues but he has been in inspired form for Brighton in the Premier League, notching 10 goal contributions in just 14 games.
Before focusing on anything else, Martinez's side will have to negotiate a tricky set of fixtures in Group F. They face a resurgent Canada in their opening match next Wednesday before meeting Morocco and Croatia for a place in the knockout stages.
On paper, they should be more than well-equipped to handle the challenges that lie ahead. But the fact that so many of Belgium's key players have been plagued by injury or inconsistency in recent months will surely leave their Group F foes will sensing that there is an opportunity to claim a big scalp.
Hindsight is a wonderful thing; Belgium's 'Golden Generation' certainly still have an opportunity to come good in Qatar.
But it feels as though they may have already spurned their best opportunity to live to that mighty moniker four years ago.
