Eden Hazard may best be known for his time at Chelsea, but the Belgian still thinks a lot about his spell with Real Madrid
Chelsea legend Eden Hazard has confessed Real Madrid will forever remain the biggest club he has ever represented. From 2012 to 2019, Hazard shone for the Blues and established himself as one of the club's greatest ever talents.
His mesmerising performances secured him a switch to Real Madrid, for a sum that could potentially have surpassed £150million. Sadly for the gifted Belgian, fitness problems devastated his spell at the Bernabeu.
Shortly after leaving the club on a free transfer, he decided to hang up his boots. Whilst the most disappointing chapter of his career unfolded in the Spanish capital, he maintains he still reflects on his period at the club with affection.
Following his participation in the Match for Hope charity fixture in Qatar, Hazard was questioned in the changing room to pick between Chelsea and Real Madrid. He responded: "No, Madrid is better. My time at Chelsea was unbelievable but as a club, Madrid is the very best, it's number one."
When questioned whether he would have ever contemplated joining Barcelona, Hazard answered: "Would I have signed for Barcelona? No. My dream was Real Madrid since I was young.
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"When I started playing football, my dream was to play for Madrid when I was young, I always told my dad that one day I want to play for Madrid. Of course, Barça with the way they play, Messi – but, Hala Madrid my friend."
With Los Blancos, Hazard managed just seven goals and 12 assists across 76 outings. He did depart the club having claimed two La Liga crowns and a Champions League winner's medal, yet he never scaled the same peaks he reached during his Chelsea days.
Hazard has subsequently reflected on his retirement from the game, which caught many off guard given he was merely 32 at the time. When quizzed by the Standard regarding his choice to hang up his boots and whether he might have continued playing, he responded: "Good question.
"I think so, but I decided playing football was over because I had a lot of injuries, and I have no regrets. I enjoy it a lot.
"I miss my football a bit, especially being with the lads in the dressing room, but I can do what I want now. I have kids and a family. I can go to Belgium to see my family, brothers and parents. I can do a lot of things."
Reflecting further on his Spanish chapter, he continued: "It was my dream. I can tell you it was my dream even if the story was not that good with injuries and this and that.
"When I look back, and you can see some pictures of me wearing the white Real Madrid shirt, it makes me proud."