Roberto Martinez Admits $113M Star Forward Is 'Sad' At Real Madrid

Belgium head coach Roberto Martinez has admitted that his star forward Eden Hazard is "sad" at Real Madrid.

Hazard, who made a $113 million move from Chelsea to Real Madrid in the summer of 2019, is yet to reach his full potential in the Spanish capital. His run has so far been hampered by various injuries and he is yet to play one full season with the La Liga club.

Even in the ongoing campaign, Hazard has had muscular issues and has started only four matches in the La Liga, having been in the squad in 12 games.

"In the recent years, he has lived with it, but he has been concentrated on the national team. We need him to arrive at the World Cup prepared. We have grown as a dressing room. Eden is in a sad moment, footballistically. He has left winners projects (but) he doesn't have the rhythm of competition," Martinez said in an interview after Belgium sealed a place in the 2022 World Cup, Marca reported.

In Belgium's 3-1 win over Estonia in World Cup qualifiers, Hazard was on the field for a good 63 minutes. The Belgian forward will now look to break into Carlo Ancelotti's Real Madrid side in the upcoming games.

Real Madrid boss Ancelotti had earlier said that even though Hazard was fit, he would prefer other players ahead of the former Chelsea star.

"He can play 4-3-3 on the left or 4-4-2 above or behind the striker. He is ready to play, but the problem is that there is a coach who prefers another player. He does not have a star status at Madrid because he has had many injuries and little by little he will have his best version," Ancelotti said in an interview.

Meanwhile, Hazard could also see the end of his Real Madrid career as he could leave the club during the upcoming January window. As many as three clubs are interested in roping Hazard in – Chelsea, Newcastle United and Juventus, according to Spanish publication ABC Deportes.

Hazard has made a total of 11 competitive appearances for Los Blancos in the 2021-22 campaign but is yet to score a goal, while he has an assist.