Speaking in his first major interview since retirement, Eden Hazard has reflected on his time at Real Madrid and his struggles in the capital of Spain.
The struggles started early - the day the Belgian arrived to the Whites' pre-season five kilos overweight back in June 2019. When asked why that happened, Eden explained:
"With Chelsea I'd just finished one of the best and tough seasons of my career. I said to myself, 'now that I'm at Real Madrid, this is perhaps the last vacation I'll be able to take…' and I let go of myself like I let go of myself every summer," he told L'Equipe.
"Seven years in England, without a break at Christmas, giving everything, so when I have three or four weeks of vacation, 'don't bother me', barbecues, rosé wine all that.
"And that's what allowed me to reset myself to start again. But at Madrid it went wrong and that's it."
"They say I was a slacker. But I haven't spent 16 years [as a professional] without training. The little games, the little runs, I was always there," he concluded.
