Today Madridistas know that it is not because Hazard has taken a decisive step on his path to sporting decline but because of self-deception.
The Belgian is going to give everything to the Real Madrid fans
Four months ago, Eden Hazard made a hopeful promise to Real Madrid fans during the Champions League celebrations in Cibeles. “Madridistas, I’ve been here for three years with many injuries and many things,” he said. “But next year, I’m going to give everything to you”. Hazard has once again raised his voice. This time his words were disappointing, especially for the Real Madrid fans who, on May 29, hoped that the Belgian’s renaissance was still possible. Today they know that it is not because Hazard has taken a decisive step on his path to sporting decline but because of self-deception. A way that others like Kaka or Gareth Bale have already walked before, and from which there is no turning back. The day when, instead of fighting to reverse the reality you are living, you start lying to yourself, refusing to accept it, you are lost.
Hazard wants to play more
Days ago, after playing 65 minutes with the Belgian national team against Wales, Hazard analyzed his situation showing an alarming lack of self-criticism. “There have been complicated moments because I want to play and I don’t play,” said Hazard. “I feel good at Real Madrid; I just play less. And when I play, I play well. It’s a delicate situation because I want to play more. I know what I can do when I play.” That’s the same old formula of benefiting from being away with his national team to criticize in a more or less veiled way the lack of opportunities given to him by the coach. He makes it seem as if the problem was Ancelotti instead of himself.
It must be tough to digest going from being a world star to being a backup player, from being in the top five worldwide to not even being amongst the coach’s five changes. But saying that he plays well when he plays is not doing himself any favours. The fact that with Belgium, he still enjoys the minutes, prominence and accolades he earned when he was in the football elite can’t hide the reality. For three years, Hazard has not even been a shadow of what he was, which is why he is indebted to Real Madrid. The least he could do is not to create (more) problems.