“I’ll not leave as a failure”: Eden Hazard confirms his stay at Real Madrid and speaks up on being compared to Cristiano Ronaldo
Eden Hazard stays at Real Madrid: Eden Hazard recently gave an interview to Spanish news outlet Diario AS in which he spoke out about his future at Real Madrid, the comparisons being drawn to former Real Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo, the sudden departure of Zinedine Zidane, and many more topics that that the fans have been eager to know about from the Belgian international. He also gave a clarification about the recent controversy that he was drawn into as he was seen laughing with Kurt Zouma and Benjamin Mendy after Real Madrid’s defeat against his former club Chelsea in the Champions League semi-finals. The following article has excerpts of the most interesting parts from the interview.
Eden Hazard to stay at Real Madrid this season
On being asked whether he is definitive about his stay at Madrid, Eden Hazard replied, “Yes, it didn’t even occur to me for a second that I’d better leave. I’m not going to leave a failure there. I just want to show that I’m made for Real Madrid. The last two years have been difficult. I was in Madrid without really being in Madrid, you know? And if I played, it was difficult because of the covid. We played in a stadium without fans, while I had just signed up to play soccer in a full Bernabéu. I hope that the works of our stadium will be completed soon and that the stands will fill up again. I need that.”
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Speaking of the criticism from the spanish media, the Belgian said that it is something that is bound to happen, but he does not think that the criticisms will leave a bad impression upon the fans.
“It is part of Madrid, as is the attention of the fans. Fortunately I live in an enclosed neighborhood where you don’t just drive in. If fans could knock on my door, it would not be possible (laughter). But I don’t mind signing autographs elsewhere. I’m trying to live a normal life.”
The UCL Semi-finals incident against Chelsea
Eden Hazard had recently drawn himself into a big outrage when he was seen laughing with his former teammates Kurt Zouma and Mendy after Chelsea defeated Real Madrid in the second leg of the Champions League semi-finals. The midfielder has already apologised for his act of immaturity and he further explained himself in the interview.
“That was wrong, yes. What Mendy and Zouma said was not even fun. It’s always good to see friends again. Although I understand that I have damaged the image of Real Madrid. Everyone thought I didn’t lose sleep because of that elimination, but nothing could be further from the truth. Deep down I was very disappointed. If there was a game I wanted to win it was against my ex-club, Chelsea, in Stamford Bridge.”
“I was surprised when I saw those images. I received some phone calls, but honestly: it’s a very nice group of players. That’s also one of the reasons I really want to stay: the good atmosphere. When I first entered the Madrid locker room, I was impressed. That was my favorite star club, but guys like Sergio Ramos or Karim Benzema are just normal guys. The Spaniards sometimes take the whole group to quiet restaurants.”
Being compared to Cristiano Ronaldo
Eden Hazard was the first big signing of Real Madrid after Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure to Juventus and hence it is obvious that comparisons will be drawn between the two. Hazard, however, feels that the comparison is baseless as both of them are completely different kinds of players.
“That’s something else. I’m not Cristiano Ronaldo. He scores 60 to 70 goals in a year, I score 60 to 70 goals in seven or eight years. We are different. For example, I would never jump so high above a defender to pitch a ball. Imagine. But I didn’t enter Madrid with the idea: here I have to be the new Ronaldo. I just have to be Eden Hazard.”
What he said about Real Madrid’s new manager Carlo Ancelotti
Eden Hazard said that he has already had a talk with Real Madrid’s new boss Carlo Ancelotti. The Italian was appointed on his second innings at the club earlier this month after former coach Zinedine Zidane left the club suddenly.
“Ancelotti has already sent me a message. He told me that he is very happy to be Real Madrid coach again, but that we will have time to talk later. He wished me luck in the European Championship.”
“I didn’t have to ask Mertens what Carlo Ancelotti is like, because there are still many players in Madrid (Benzema, Modric, Kroos…) who remember him from his previous stage. Everyone says that Ancelotti is fantastic. A good person who knows how to play and lead a group. Last season, Real won nothing, next season we want revenge.”
Hazard’s reaction on Zidane’s departure
Although he is excited to play under the new manager, Eden Hazard was indeed saddened when Zidane took his leave which he admitted without a second thought.
“I called him. It hurt to see him leave. We had two years in which we could show beautiful things. That is a disappointment for both him and me. Everyone knows the relationship I had with Zidane. It was my idol.
“Thanks to him I began to look at soccer with admiration. That goal he scored in the Champions League final against Bayer Leverkusen… Everyone knows that volley. Well, hopefully one day I score such a beautiful goal. I must try that. Maybe in the Eurocup (laughter)”.
