Former Real Madrid forward Eden Hazard has opened up about the challenges he faced at the club, citing the immense pressure and recurring injuries as significant factors leading to his departure.
In an interview with L’Equipe, Hazard revealed that while it had always been his dream to play for Real Madrid, he struggled to find his place after making the move. He expressed admiration for the club’s history and allure but admitted that he didn’t feel like he fit in with the culture and playing style:
“I’ve been a Zinedine Zidane fan since I was a child. The Bernabeu, the white kit… it has a charm that others don’t have. Real Madrid is special. Beyond that, I don’t think that I fit in. It’s not like me. It’s a bit of a ‘swaggering’ club, and I’m not like that. I also didn’t like the way we played if you compare it to other clubs. But, it was my dream. I couldn’t finish my career without coming here.”
Reflecting on his tenure, Hazard suggested that perhaps more training could have helped him adapt better, acknowledging the demanding nature of playing for Real Madrid:
“I would’ve liked to do things my way and succeed. It shows that Real Madrid is bigger than anything else. It’s complicated to play there. Maybe I needed to train more. I also had the worst injuries at the worst times. The operation, the plate… I’m coming back, [and] it hurts, I’m sore.”
Throughout his time at the club, Hazard faced challenges with injuries and competition for a spot in the starting lineup, particularly from emerging talent like Vinicius Jr.
Despite his struggles, Hazard expressed gratitude for the opportunity to play for Real Madrid but ultimately decided to leave in pursuit of a fresh start.
