Real Madrid: Eden Hazard will not play against Barcelona this time either

Real Madrid left winger Eden Hazard has picked up a new injury in recent weeks, and there was initially hope he could face Barcelona.

On Oct. 24, Real Madrid will travel to the Camp Nou to face Barcelona after the two teams drew 0-0 at that ground in December of last year. And much like the last two Clasicos, Los Blancos likely won’t have Eden Hazard available.

According to a report from MARCA’s Jose Felix Diaz, Real Madrid forward Eden Hazard wishes not to take any risks on his muscular injury or on his continued recovery from the injuries last season that initially kept him out of the first few games of the 2020-2021 La Liga campaign.

Hazard will not rush his recovery, and, therefore, MARCA reports that the star player will miss the third Clasico to start his tumultuous Real Madrid career.

It is better for Real Madrid to keep playing it safe with Eden Hazard

The 100 million euro signing from Chelsea should be a difference-maker in these matches. But while it is disappointing to hear that Hazard won’t be ready in time for the big match against Barcelona, which always holds title implications down the road, it is better for him to be 100 percent for the long haul. And by long haul, I also mean the coming seasons, as his injury from last November has clearly had effects nearly one year later.

Without Hazard, Golden Boy finalist Vinicius Junior will have a chance to impress in another Clasico. He scored the defining goal against Barcelona earlier this year and was incredible in that match, creating chance after chance as an unplayable threat to Barcelona’s defense out wide.

Real Madrid want nothing more than to have a 100 percent healthy – beyond any shadow of a doubt – Eden Hazard. They want him to be confident with his ankle, fibula, and fitness. Otherwise, he won’t be playing at his best. And if he’s not at his best, Real might as well let him rest and continue to play Vinicius, who is, by the way, in very good form.