Martinez Getting Concerned By Hazard’s Persistent Injury Problems

Hazard has not had luck with his fitness since joining Real Madrid from Chelsea in the summer of 2019.

The 30-year-old has made 51 appearances in total for Los Blancos, scoring five goals.

Hazard lasted 74 minutes for Belgium in the Nations League semi-finals against France last week before getting injured again and was ruled out of the third-place playoff against Italy.

Hazard hardly missed a game during his seven-year stay at Chelsea and like many others, Martinez is at a loss to explain his constant visit to the treatment table.

"It's certainly true that Eden is not now in a physical situation to be at 100 per cent for 90 minutes," Martinez told El Larguero.

"What's important now is to have patience, to work well and try to get Hazard, bit by bit, to get back to that level he's always had.

"His situation in Spain is very atypical. He found a situation that's new for him, because he was never injured and suddenly finds himself over the course of two years with no explanation for so many injuries.

"We're all worried and I'm sure Real Madrid are as well. He's a player who needs the ball, needs to dribble, and in order to reach his maximum physical level, he needs to play games.

"What I've seen is that he is medically perfect. The first 45 minutes [against France] were really enjoyable. We hope that, between Real Madrid and the national team, we can help him so he can get the minutes he needs. If he's at the level of those 45 minutes against France, I'm sure he'll bring a lot of success to Belgium, but especially to Real Madrid."