Eden Hazard has described Real Madrid as a “big-headed” team and given an explanation for his lack of success at the Spanish powerhouse.
Consequently, what happened?
Hazard signed a contract worth up to £130 million ($164 million) with Los Blancos in 2019, but in 76 appearances, he managed just seven goals. The 32-year-old former Belgium international had a rough time with form and injury while at Real Madrid, and he has since painted a less than ideal picture of his time there. He retired from sports last October.
WHAT EDEN HAZARD SAID
The former Chelsea player stated to L’Equipe: “It’s simple to say now. I’ve been a fan of [Zinedine] Zidane since I was young. The white shirt and Bernabeu have a certain allure that the others lack. Madrid is unique. I don’t think I fit in beyond that. It differs from who I am.
“I’m not that kind of person, and it seems like a big-headed club. If you contrast our style of play with that of other clubs, I didn’t even enjoy it. However, I dreamed about it. I had to travel there to wrap up my career. This demonstrates how Madrid is the largest city in the world. It’s challenging to play there. Perhaps I should have trained more.
“The worst injuries also happened to me at the worst moments. After the surgery, I returned, it hurt, and I had to push through. Ancelotti came in the second season [Carlo]. I performed well and had prepared well. However, my body, the discomfort, the wounds…”
THE LARGER IMAGE
Despite having a successful playing career, Hazard seems to be taking jabs at Real Madrid. He has been criticising Cristiano Ronaldo’s rigorous training regimen and asserting that he was superior to the Portuguese player. After receiving criticism over his weight upon joining the Spanish team, Hazard is now responding to some of the taunts he has received at Santiago Bernabeu.
WHAT NEXT?
Though six years senior to Hazard, who won two Premier League titles while at Chelsea from 2012 to 2019, Hazard is settling into retirement while Ronaldo continues to play, now for Al-Nassr of the Saudi Pro League.