Carlo Ancelotti reveals why Eden Hazard failed at Real Madrid | OneFootball

Back in 2019, Real Madrid completed the very exciting signing of Eden Hazard from Chelsea, who arrived as the club’s record transfer. Much was expected of the Belgian winger, but unfortunately, he failed to make much of an impact during his time at the Santiago Bernabeu, which was cut short in the summer of 2023.

Hazard announced his retirement soon after leaving Real Madrid, and while this came as a surprise to many, Carlo Ancelotti appears to have been one of those that expected it to happen. The Italian coach, speaking on The Obi One Podcast (via Relevo), open up on the mentality that Hazard showed during his time at Los Blancos.

“His problem was injuries, of course, but he also had difficulty competing. You have to train intensely in training when you are not playing. It was difficult for him to compete, fight and play.”

Hazard’s spell is one of the few dark moments in Real Madrid’s recent history, although the club itself cannot take too much of the blame. It was actually a blessing in disguise, as Florentino Perez has shifted the transfer policy, successfully so, in the aftermath of that signing in 2019.