Eden Hazard has issued an apology to Real Madrid fans after he was seen chuckling with Chelsea players in the aftermath of Los Blancos' elimination from the Champions League on Wednesday night.
The Belgium international surprisingly started the match but couldn't affect the game positively for Zinedine Zidane's side and was brought off in the 89th minute with Real 2-0 behind. At full time, Hazard was seen smiling with old teammate Kurt Zouma and Blues goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, a sight which sent the Spanish media into overdrive.
?? "¡¡HAZARD NO puede SEGUIR ni un SEGUNDO MÁS en el R. MADRID!!" ??
— El Chiringuito TV (@elchiringuitotv) May 5, 2021
? ¡@jpedrerol, más ENFADADO que NUNCA en #ChiringuitoHazard! ? pic.twitter.com/RsoHw6FoXs
It sparked a lengthy debate on Spanish show El Chiringuito, with host Josep Pederol describing Hazard as 'another Bale' - cor, that must be a nice luxury, eh? - and stating the former Chelsea star should not spend 'another second' at the club.
Posting on his Instagram, Hazard wrote: "I am sorry. I have read lots of opinions about me today [Thursday] and it was not my intention to offend the Real Madrid fans.
"It has always been my dream to play for Real Madrid and I came here to win. The season is not over and together we must now battle for La Liga! Hala Madrid!"
Throwing Hazard in at the deep end in a Champions League semi final second leg was always going to be a rogue shout given his fitness struggles of late and it was one that didn't pay off for Zidane, whose side were well beaten over the course of Wednesday night.
Goals from Timo Werner and Mason Mount secured a 3-1 aggregate victory for Thomas Tuchel's side and set up an all-English Champions League final against Manchester City, who convincingly overcame Paris Saint-Germain the previous night to book their spot.
Like Hazard says, Real still have a La Liga title to play for. The championship race is one of the tightest across Europe, with current leaders Atletico Madrid only two points ahead of Real and Barcelona at the summit.
However, the 30-year-old's future at the Bernabeu - or Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano currently - is far from certain, with one report indicating both he and manager Zidane could be given the boot in the summer.
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Source: 90min
