Hazard defends injury record: 'I want to prove my worth at Real Madrid'
Martin Macdonald
- 6 Sept 2021 13:23 BST
- 3 min read
Eden Hazard is desperate to finally impress at Real Madrid after failing to live up to expectations since his big money move from Chelsea.
The Belgian developed into one of the best forwards in the world while at Stamford Bridge, but speculation about a move to the Spanish capital never went away during his final few years at the club, with Real Madrid finally getting their man in the summer of 2019.
Los Blancos paid an initial fee of €100 million for Hazard, though this could rise further to €146.1m if certain conditions and add-ons as met.
In the past two seasons the forward has missed no less than 59 games for Madrid through injury.
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In his entire Madrid career, he has started just 23 La Liga games.
Hazard was allegedly up for sale during the recently closed transfer window, but with no suitors coming in, he will be allowed to try and reclaim his best form, which he naturally hopes to do.
"I signed with Real Madrid for five seasons," he told HLN.
"The first two have not been good, the injuries have not helped me, but I still have three more to prove my worth.
"I hope it works, I hope to get up one morning and feel great on the training ground. If I feel pain there, I drag it to the games and I will continue to have it. I am waiting for that moment when I can show my worth again.
"Real Madrid have already spent a lot of money on me. I want to give something back to them."
Hazard defends injury record
Hazard is aware that there is a feeling towards him that he is constantly injured, but he insists his troubles with fitness are a new factor in his career, having played consistently for Lille and Chelsea before the big money move.
"People think that I am always injured. That is the truth," he admitted.
"But if you review my career there is not a player who, for a period of 10 years, has played as many games as I have/
"I do what I have to do. I work daily with the physio. That's what I do. Since the beginning of the season we have done a great job with the physical trainer.
"At the moment it is going well, I am feeling better, but I am not completely 100% still.
"I hope we continue like this."
