Eden Hazard hints at possible Real Madrid exit after disastrous three years in Spain

Eden Hazard has refused to rule out a potential summer departure from Real Madrid, with his contract at the Bernabeu up in June 2024. 

Despite admitting that it was ‘impossible’ to leave in this coming January window, he accepted that Los Blancos may ask him to move on over the summer, drawing to a close what has been a disappointing three-year stay in the Spanish capital so far. 

The Belgian captain has only played 72 games since his big-money arrival from Chelsea in summer 2019 – the same number that he has missed through 16 different injury problems. 

Eden Hazard ruled out a January move but admitted it was ‘possible’ he could leave in summer

‘In January it is impossible, because I have family and I like the city,’ the 31-year-old said when asked about the chances of a departure.

‘But in summer it is possible that I go. I have one more year on my contract and it’s the club’s decision. 

‘If the club tells me “Eden, thanks for four years, but you have to go”, I have to accept it because it’s normal. 

‘But I would like to play more, show more that I can play, that I am a good player.’

Hazard’s current deal at the Santiago Bernabeu will expire in the summer of 2024

Despite picking up two LaLiga titles and a Champions League winners’ medal since joining Real in 2019, Hazard has failed to impress during his time at the Bernabeu. 

The player that managed more than 350 games and 110 goals for Chelsea is unrecognisable in the white shirt of Real Madrid, and he has gradually fallen down the pecking order despite his high-profile move three years ago. 

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The 31-year-old has only played 72 games for Real since his 2019 arrival from Chelsea

However he has attributed large parts of his failure to grab the headlines in LaLiga – for the right reasons, at least – to his crippling injury record. 

‘I have played many games in ten years, seven in the Premier League with many kicks,’ the Belgian added. ‘There are moments in life when you have a little less luck with a game, an injury… and you have to understand your way of life. 

‘You can change things in life, but I think many were due to bad luck, a bit because of the coronavirus, a bit because of the lockdown.’

But the break for the World Cup now gives Hazard a chance to escape the disappointment in Spain and try to help his national team secure their maiden major honour.  

Yet, with only 72 games and seven goals to his name at the Spanish giants, Hazard himself has admitted that his form over the past two seasons has not been good enough to break into Belgium’s talented squad in Qatar. 

The former Chelsea forward will lead his country in Qatar in their bid for a first major honour

And even then the 31-year-old believes the Red Devils will struggle to come out on top, in what is surely the last opportunity for their now fading golden generation to win something for their country.  

‘It is a good team, with good players. We have more experience than in the World Cup in Russia, but I am not playing, (Romelu) Lukaku has had injuries.

‘We have doubts, although not inside. I think there are better teams than us.’

And when prompted for an answer, he offered: ‘Brazil, sure. France, Argentina.’