Eden Hazard is unable to wear the No.10 shirt at Real Madrid as it is currently occupied by Luka Modric, so the Belgian has his eye on another number: 23.
In Madrid that shirt is synonymous with David Beckham, but for Hazard it has another meaning.
The forward is an avid basketball fan and, as such, there is no number more prestigious than the No.23. The best player of all time, Michael Jordan, made it famous with the Chicago Bulls, and more recently LeBron James has donned it whilst with the Cleveland Cavaliers and now the Los Angeles Lakers.
Hazard has selected the No.23, and MARCA can confirm that it was no coincidence that the 28-year-old pinpointing this number. Last season, Sergio Reguilon was the player given this shirt.
When Hazard was presented as a Madrid player, it was rumoured that he could wear the No.7, following in the footsteps of legends such as Raymond Kopa, Amancio Amaro, Juanito, Raul Gonzalez and Cristiano Ronaldo. However, Mariano Diaz's adamant stance that he does not want to leave means that he is unwilling to give up this number, particularly as he believes that he may have a place in the 25-man squad.
The last big signing to don the No.23 was Isco, with Mesut Ozil wearing the No.10 upon his arrival, before the Spanish midfielder opted for his number from Malaga, the No.22.
Hazard will be hoping that wearing the No.23 on his back will enable him to replicate some of the success that Jordan and James have shown on the basketball court as he looks to make the number his own in Madrid.
lukzlat910
574
23?!?!?! Just take number 7 from Mariano, half the world probably doesn't even know who Mariano is!! [Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
Longlife2000
291
I think Hazard doesn't want any pressure that us why he doesn't want to wear the No.7 jersey and I think it's good idea because what Ronaldo did with the No.7 jersey is very wonderful so any player who wear that jersey there is going to be more pressure on you the fans will expect more from you and it's going to be a big weight on you so I think it's going to be a good idea if Hazard doesn't wear the No.7 jersey and I think it's will be better for Madrid to retire the No.7 jersey for now because after Ronaldo any player who wear the No.7 jersey will find its difficult to perform good no matter how good the player is he will find it very hard to perform good all because of what Ronaldo did with that No.7 jersey
nowhere
190
Will be the best No. 23 in Real Madrid history!
Mosanya
121
Follow your dreams hazard, you are in one of the best clubs in the world, playing under zidane was your dream, you will succeed here, you can achieve alot at Madrid, soon you will be known as a legend here, good luck hazard
OkorieJ30
120
I love that, Numbers don't really matter. What matters most is your dedication and hard work
cacbcdrt
87
He is truly a world class player.. the number doesn't matter all that does is his dedication. And i must say he will be adaptive in the squad prior to his first game.. will be the ultimate game changer as he was in the toughest league in the world.
xtremeCR7
82
since Ronaldo left MU, the combined players that inherited his no.7 shirt has produced just 15 goals in approximately 10 years...That's good enough for Madrid to learn some sense [byebye][byebye][byebye]
Lacadelpsz
76
Hazard is patiently waiting for number 10 from luka,Mbappe will wear number 7 nxt season,so it will be Mbbape 7,Jovic 9 and Hazard 10
haoshib
72
Can't wait to see Hazard and Jovic playing together 😍😍
Abbawaziri
68
Eden Hazard always does something for a purpose, he’s a type of person who doesn’t hide his feelings as a player and doesn’t mind which number he wears. He just wants to play!!!
अमृतखनाल
68
Hazard is little bit emotional because No one gave him their shirt no and is in the verge of making history with no 23 shirt
estimated
57
23 isnt terrible, its lowkey underrated in the football world but you are right, Madrid 23’s have been solid. My guess is this. Jovic takes the 18 Mendy takes 16 Rodrygo takes 25 because Courtois moves to 13. Hazard 23. Militao takes 24
VanishPrasad
53
Hazard will wear the No.23 Jersey until Modric leaves
just2
50
The best deal is James , Lucas and Nacho to Napoli and we get £50m cash + Fabian Ruiz for free. Mariano can be sold easily and Bale should stay for another year unless Real Madrid wants to sign Mbappe
PV7
49
now people will change their fav no.s to 23
Mangeorgee
48
What a wise choice! The no.10 already occupied by the current holder of the prestigious award in football, Modric. As for the no.7, it's a go no area. Mariano can't do what the legends who has put on that no. did. And if Hazard has taken it, then he has willingly subjected himself to great pressure. Most fans would expect Hazard to do what Cristiano Ronaldo did at Real Madrid which no one at least for now can do. Goodluck Hazardous Hazard.
Nesaiknruy_Legend
39
Who the hell is Mariano to be hogging the shirt once worn by legends? he hasn't even established himself as a Madrid elite let alone legend. Modric and the 10 I understand but Mariano? fk outta here. Hazard should be the 7 at Madrid. Also his number doesnt matter cos if anything, when Hazard isnt given his main number, he actually performs really well as if to prove he owns that number he easnt given so it's better as it's a small push of motivation....
the_truth_is_here
19
I think Hazard doesn't want any pressure that us why he doesn't want to wear the No.7 jersey and I think it's good idea because what Ronaldo did with the No.7 jersey is very wonderful so any player who wear that jersey there is going to be more pressure on you the fans will expect more from you and it's going to be a big weight on you so I think it's going to be a good idea if Hazard doesn't wear the No.7 jersey and I think it's will be better for Madrid to retire the No.7 jersey for now because after Ronaldo any player who wear the No.7 jersey will find its difficult to perform good no matter how good the player is he will find it very hard to perform good all because of what Ronaldo did with that No.7 jersey
now i know there are barca fans who watch general football and have sense. you have my respect bruh 👍
Sekbcnsuy
8
Hazard did not want to follow Ronaldo steps
He just didn't want get in trouble because of that shirt Number 7 will make pressure on the player who holds it if he was a good player people will ask to do more to deserve it
zezdlsyz
8
23?!?!?! Just take number 7 from Mariano, half the world probably doesn't even know who Mariano is!! [Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
mate I know mariano from fifa mobile and never heard of him before