EDEN HAZARD had fans in stitches after denying he was set to retire and claimed that he had been “resting for three years” at Real Madrid.
The 32-year-old Belgian playmaker will leave the Spanish giants this month on a free transfer despite still having 12 months left to run on his £400,000-a-week deal.
Hazard moved to Madrid from Chelsea in 2019 after becoming a world superstar at Stamford Bridge.
However, he has endured a nightmare spell at the Bernabeu and barely featured due to numerous injury problems.
Hazard contributed just seven goals and 12 assists in 76 appearances for the club.
That has led to recent speculation that he could be about to announce his retirement, despite MLS clubs being linked with him.
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A fresh update has also claimed Belgium minnows Racing White Daring de Molenbeek (RWDM), who secured promotion this season, want him to link up with his brother Kylian.
Now Hazard has hit back at the retirement rumours and insists that he is still capable of playing at the top level as he joked about his miserable injury record at Madrid.
He said: “It is true that, in the last few days, I have read a lot about myself. And a lot of nonsense.”
Replying to a question about RWDM, he replied: “I don’t know if it’s stupid, we’ll see… I know I’m not giving the answers that are expected but it’s because, honestly, I still don’t have them.
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“Having said that, I can assure you that I am still capable of being a professional footballer, my body can handle it. Also, I’ve been resting for three years…”
Hazard then added: “Honestly, I still don’t know. After these three complicated years, I just want to spend time with my family, go on holiday like everyone else.”
And it was his “resting” remarks that got supporters talking.
“I laughed to be honest,” reacted one fan.
Another called him “cheeky” as another commented: “He didn't tell us he was on sabbatical leave.”
And a fellow footy fan tweeted: “Any club that takes a chance with Hazard should be rest assured that they would be buying a playing who had RESTED for the past 3 years and might still want to REST further.”
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