Eden Hazard attributes the unfortunate end to his time at Real Madrid to the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, hindering his complete recovery from an ankle injury that marred his stint with the club.
Initially hailed as one of the world’s premier players, Hazard joined Real Madrid from Chelsea in 2019 for a substantial fee of up to €150 million. However, his tenure at the Santiago Bernabeu was plagued by setbacks. Three months after joining, he sustained an ankle injury, initiating a prolonged battle with fitness issues that persisted until his contract release in the summer of the following year. Subsequently, Hazard decided to retire at the age of 32.
Speaking on The Obi One Podcast with former Chelsea teammate John Obi Mikel, Hazard shared that the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted his recovery process after ankle surgery in Dallas. He faced a solitary rehabilitation period at home without professional physiotherapy during the lockdown.
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Hazard expressed regret about not insisting on having a physiotherapist and acknowledged that the lack of proper rehabilitation impacted his subsequent performance on the pitch, leading to further injuries.
When asked if he felt Real Madrid could have provided more assistance, Hazard defended the club, emphasizing the challenging circumstances for everyone during the pandemic. He admitted that initially, he did not realize the need for additional rehabilitation but acknowledged that, in hindsight, more proactive measures might have made a difference.
Despite the setbacks, Hazard emphasized his desire to return to the highest level and play a crucial role for Real Madrid. However, his efforts were hampered by recurring fitness issues, culminating in his decision to retire after the season’s conclusion.