Chelsea legend Eden Hazard provides a candid review of his failed stint at Real Madrid.
Eden Hazard, in an extensive interview with France Football, shared insights into the decline of his professional career at Real Madrid, attributing the downturn to both physical and psychological factors.
Despite an outstanding season with Chelsea FC, where he netted a personal best of 21 goals, Hazard's much-anticipated transfer to Real Madrid—a club he had admired since childhood, partly due to his adoration for Zinedine Zidane—did not pan out as expected.
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Arriving Overweight and Unprepared
Upon joining Real Madrid in 2019, Hazard admitted to arriving five kilogrammes overweight. Following a rigorous seven-year stint with Chelsea, which included no breaks during the Christmas season, Hazard took a laid-back approach to his holiday, indulging in relaxation and enjoyment.
He mentioned, "With Chelsea, I had just finished a crazy season. Seven years in England without a break at Christmas, giving everything." Unfortunately, the break that previously rejuvenated him did not suffice to prepare him for the challenges at Real Madrid, leading to a disappointing tenure with the club.
Physical and Mental Struggles
Hazard's physical condition rapidly deteriorated, with numerous injuries plaguing his time at Real Madrid. He described a loss of confidence and a fear of losing the ball before even receiving it, a stark contrast to the confidence and swagger he exhibited throughout his career.
"My body is making me pay for all these years when I started early, burned without almost ever stopping, every blow taken… At Real, I had a series of injuries. Sometimes I didn’t even know how or why. You wake up, you get out of bed, you hurt yourself," Hazard recounted.
No Regrets but Apologies to Fans
Despite his challenges, Hazard expressed no regrets about his tenure at Real Madrid but voiced sadness and disappointment for letting down the fans who had high hopes upon his arrival.
He conveyed a heartfelt apology, acknowledging his efforts but admitting to the physical limitations that hindered his performance: "No. I was sad for the supporters, and disappointed for them. When I arrived, they were full of hope. I kind of feel like I’ve let them down. I want to tell them: 'Hey, it’s not my fault, my body gave up on me. I tried, it didn’t work. I’m sorry.'”
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