Real Madrid fans, Real Madrid haters, and media pundits have time and again talked about Belgian star Eden Hazard’s weight. After coming over from Chelsea in early June, the spotlight has followed Hazard everywhere. It’s time to stop calling him overweight or slow and let him play his game.
74 kilograms. 163 pounds. Five feet, eight inches. Those are Eden Hazard’s biometrics.
Watching Hazard fly down the left wing with grace and skill, it’s hard to imagine how anyone could call him out of shape. It’s even more confusing when you read what members of the media in Europe were saying and still are saying about the newest Galactico.
It wasn’t just the media who were unhappy with Eden’s body shape when he reported for preseason training, it was mainly the Madridistas who were upset.
“We really 100 mil for a fat Hazard,” one fan said on Twitter.
Good to see Eden Hazard found his favourite Madrid restaurants 🍕👀 pic.twitter.com/p7L1EJ1mLU
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) July 29, 2019
This, of course, could not be further from the truth. Claims that the former Chelsea star was seven kilograms overweight seemed rash and reckless. Instead of excitement revolving around signing a payer who could potentially be Cristiano Ronaldo’s successor, fans jumped at the chance to criticize him. And this was before having even played a preseason match!
As Belgian national team manager Roberto Martinez told the press at the beginning of this month when Hazard reported for international duty:
"“He’s smiling. He’s a world-class player, who is unique, talented. He is also very professional and, although he has already won trophies [in his career], he is reaching the highest point of his career. He takes great care of himself and, in my eyes, he’s not fat.”"
Eden Hazard has Zinedine Zidane’s backing and continues to be a staple of the first team as you would expect. After dealing with a slight injury problem at the beginning of the season, Hazard has featured in six La Liga match and all three Champions League group stage matches.
While he may have only scored once thus far, an adjustment period is to be expected when moving to a new league with all new teammates and in my eyes, Eden seems to be causing defenses a problem down the left wing which in turn free up space for Karim Benzema centrally.
The Spanish media is well known for its senseless and often untrue reports and it seems this is a similar situation.
Unfortunately, Cristiano Ronaldo could not escape the hateful eyes of media outlets in the country in regards to tax evasion and now, Eden Hazard is experiencing that same scorn because of his weight.
Let Hazard get acclimated, give him until at least January, and if he isn’t playing well, don’t hesitate to voice your opinion. But, when calling a forward of his quality overweight, it’s probably best to just remain silent.