Hazard keeps his word and returns to Real Madrid motivated

At the end of last season, Eden Hazard promised Real Madrid fans that he would give his all to succeed with Los Blancos.

He did so while celebrating the 14th Champions League title at Cibeles, with a microphone in hand in front of almost half a million fans.

"Madridistas, I have been here for three years with many injuries. But next year, I'm going to give everything for you," he said.

The Belgian felt a healthy envy of his teammates given what they accomplished on the pitch in LaLiga Santander and the Champions League.

"I want to be a protagonist here," he told relatives, ruling out an exit in the summer transfer window weeks after Carlo Ancelotti confirmed he would be part of the 2022/23 squad.

The key for Hazard, however, was turning those words into concrete results.

After returning to work with Real Madrid, it appears he wasn't bluffing.

The club are curious to see what kind of shape he is in after letting himself go while on holiday the last three summers.

The Belgian admitted he didn't pay much attention to his diet or training, and even joked about it.

That's all changed this year, as Hazard has returned to Madrid in the best shape he's been in since joining the club.

Surgery has helped

Hazard has been slowed down by injuries, but his most recent surgery, which saw a plate removed in his right leg, has seen the discomfort in his ankle disappear.

The Belgian is hoping his muscular injuries will be history as well, as he knows Vinicius and Rodrygo are currently ahead of him in the pecking order.

Hazard believes he can return to being a regular figure in the starting line-up, with the final word ultimately falling to Ancelotti.