Real Madrid Manager Reveals Eden Hazard’s Struggles at Santiago Bernabeu

In a recent podcast interview, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has shed light on the reasons behind Eden Hazard’s disappointing stint at the club. The Belgian midfielder, who left the Santiago Bernabeu last summer and retired from active football shortly after, failed to live up to the high expectations that followed his move from Chelsea in 2019.

Despite his arrival with great fanfare, Hazard struggled to replicate his form at Stamford Bridge, beset by injuries and a loss of confidence. Ancelotti revealed that Hazard’s problems were twofold, citing both injuries and a lack of intensity in training as major contributors to his underperformance.

"He struggled with injuries, of course, but he also had difficulty being in competition," Ancelotti said. "You have to train with intensity when you’re not playing. He had difficulties to compete, to fight, and to play."

The Real Madrid manager’s comments offer a glimpse into the challenges Hazard faced during his time at the club, and serve as a sobering reminder of the high demands that come with playing for one of the world’s top teams.

As one of the most skilled players of his generation, Hazard’s failure to meet expectations at Real Madrid is a significant disappointment. His retirement from active football at just 32 has sparked widespread speculation about the toll his struggles at the Bernabeu took on his career and his personal well-being.

In a bid to revitalize his team and restore his own reputation, Ancelotti has already made significant changes to Real Madrid’s playing roster, and it remains to be seen whether the Italian manager will be able to coax a revival from the struggling Hazard. For now, fans of the Spanish capital club can only speculate about what could have been, had the former Lille star been able to recapture his form and overcome his injury woes.