In No Time He Will 'Explode,' Courtois Backs Struggling $113M Winger at Real Madrid

Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois Wednesday said his Belgium teammate Eden Hazard will "explode" at Santiago Bernabeu.

With 100 goals in 353 competitive games, Hazard made a name for himself at Chelsea before making a $113 million-move to Real Madrid in the summer of 2019. However, the Belgian winger struggled in his maiden season with Los Blancos as he managed just one goal in 22 appearances for the Spanish giants.

Hazard is yet to make an appearance for Real Madrid in the 2020-21 season, having suffered a muscle injury just as he neared a return from an ankle issue.

In a conversation with Spanish media outlet Cadena SER, Courtois discussed Hazard’s run in La Liga so far, before adding, it is just a matter of time before the winger produces his best in Spain.

"Hazard? I have no doubt, I am sure we will see the best Eden Hazard. He is the first with the desire to show it. I see him very well and hopefully, soon he can prove it. Just before his injury, he played several games very well, and there he had such bad luck, and getting out of that was not easy. But now this month I saw him train very well. I am sure that in no time he will explode and will to give many joys to the team," Courtois said in the interview.

Courtois earlier picked up an injury on international duty. But he has recovered and is set to make a comeback for Real Madrid after an injury break this weekend when the defending champions host Cadiz FC. Even Courtois had struggled when he made the switch from Chelsea to Real Madrid in 2018, but the 28-year-old shot-stopper has turned tables around.

Praising Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane for his constant support, Courtois said, "Zidane has given me a lot of confidence. I have always felt that he counted on me and it is important. In those difficult moments at the beginning of last year, if you don't feel that the coach is with you, it becomes difficult."

After clinching the La Liga last season for the first time in two years, Real Madrid are currently at the top of the La Liga table in the 2020-21 campaign with 10 points from four matches. Their arch-rivals FC Barcelona are placed in fifth place, having bagged two wins in three matches.