LUKA MODRIC has spoken of Eden Hazard’s determination to impress at Real Madrid – even if it risked his long-term fitness.
The Belgian struggled with injuries and a lack of form throughout his first year in the Spanish capital.
Luka Modric had to put an arm round Eden Hazard’s shoulder
With the player himself describing the season as his worst on an individual level, Modric opened up on having to tell Hazard to take it easier.
Speaking to AFP, the Croat said: “Eden is a great guy and a special player, but he was playing with pain and when you’re on the pitch, people always expect the best.
“They don’t care if you have little problems.
“I spoke to him and said, ‘Eden maybe you need not to play now and recover because next season we need you at your best. This is a season where you’re getting to know everything but next season you need to be 100 per cent because if not, it’s going to be difficult’.
“Hopefully he comes back without any problems and then I’m sure he’ll show his potential and why the club bought him, because we will need him a lot.”
Hazard scored just once in 22 outings for Real with hamstring, foot and ankle injuries a constant problem.
Real boss Zinedine Zidane nonetheless trusted him with a starting spot in the club’s season-ending Champions League defeat to Manchester City.
It ended an otherwise successful campaign for Los Blancos, who reclaimed the LaLiga title from Barcelona, but for Hazard it was rather more miserable.
The ex-Chelsea ace stated in July: “There have been injuries, but I hope this is behind and that next year will be better.
“In reality it has not been such a terrible year because I have been able to come to this club and we have won the league in my first year.
“I can’t ask for more. [But] on an individual level it has been the worst year of my career.
“It has been a little strange season with everything that has happened.”
Real Madrid star Eden Hazard takes the Nissan Leaf Nismo Electric Race Car for a spin with Formula E driver Oliver Rowland
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
