Despite having undergone two previous surgeries, Eden Hazard’s ankle issues are still unresolved and the Real Madrid winger is now weighing up a third operation to end his ongoing pain although he’s been warned a third operation on his ankle could spell the end of his career as a footballer.
The Los Blancos winger has been plagued by injuries since he sealed a £150-million transfer from Chelsea in June 2019, and is currently bogged own by a muscle complaint which is believed to be linked to long-standing issues with his ankle. Hazard underwent surgery last March but reports from Spain claim he is still in pain and sees another operation as his only choice.
The 30-year-old – who was also on the operating table in 2017 – is considering missing Belgium’s European Championship campaign in order to rectify the injury.
But leading physician Dr Jose Gonzalez – who works for Los Blancos’ local rivals Atletico Madrid – is adamant that Hazard would be unwise to risk another surgery on his ankle.
“Hazard has to train with the team for up to 10 training sessions,” Gonzalez told Spanish radio station Onda Cero.
“In my experience it is difficult for him to return to playing at his level with Real Madrid this season.
“If a player returns after a long injury without having hardly trained, the most normal thing is that he is injured again.
“He has anxiety, he wants to show that he is worth and wants to give 100 per cent and he is not there for that.
“A third operation on Eden Hazard’s ankle is very risky, there could be the possibility that the player would not play football again.”
Hazard most recent appearance came off the bench in Real Madrid’s 2-1 victory over Elche last weekend.
He has scored three times in 14 appearances this season and his tally in a Real Madrid shirt stands at a dismal four goals in 36 games.
Manager Zinedine Zidane ruefully admits he is totally clueless trying to explain Hazard’s woes and the player was even voted the worst signing in the club’s history during a Marca poll last month.