The Belgian has endured a run of injuries that have delayed his Real Madrid debut against FC Barcelona, keeping him on the sidelines for classics that have come and gone. Since joining Real Madrid in the 2019-2020 season, Eden Hazard has watched from the bench during ten Clasico encounters, never stepping onto the pitch in those league battles.
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The first Clásico he could play was abandoned by a muscle problem in his right leg
Early in September, soon after Hazard began his first season with Real Madrid, the medical team diagnosed a muscle injury in his right leg. A few days later, coach Zinedine Zidane spoke at a press conference and warned that the injury was more serious than expected, ruling him out of the December 18, 2019 clash in Barcelona, a match that finished without goals.
A fibula tear caused a second lengthy absence
By March 2020, Hazard could not be cleared for the second meeting of the campaign against Barcelona, a game Real Madrid would win 2-0. A tear to the distal right fibula sidelined the Belgian international for nearly three months, delaying his return to the pitch for his club and his country.
During the third absence
In the opening round of the 2020-2021 season at Camp Nou, the former Chelsea winger suffered a minor foot laceration days before the match, keeping him out for more than two months and depriving Zidane of a key option for his squad.
A psoas recovery keeps him out in the fourth
It appeared Hazard might finally feature in another Clasico, yet in this fourth appearance in Madrid colors against Barcelona, Zidane again left him out. The recovery of the psoas prevented him from realizing that dream on the field.
Three Clasicos available without Hazard playing
Hazard was on the bench or unavailable for Carlo Ancelotti during the three Clasicos in the 2021-2022 season, including both league meetings and the Spanish Super Cup semi finals. He did not step onto the grass in any of these fixtures, nor did he start or enter as a substitute. The situation felt like a heavy cross to bear for Madrid fans and management alike.
Having Barcelona as a foe seemed to follow a stubborn misfortune for the Belgian, a running joke in Madrid circles.
What the 2022-2023 season looked like
As the 2022-2023 campaign unfolded, four matches had already been played, including two in La Liga, the Spanish Super Cup, and the Copa del Rey semi final first leg. Hazard remained on the bench, available but unused in each appearance, a recurring scene for a player of his pedigree who could only watch from the touchline.
Such an extended spell out left Real Madrid with a constant question about his future impact and his ability to reach peak form again. In the broader context, the club periodically evaluated whether Hazard could reclaim a consistent role in the squad or if injuries would continue to dictate his availability during high profile matchups against Barcelona.
Note: This summary reflects the documented periods when Hazard did not feature in Clasicos, capturing a chapter in his career marked by injury setbacks and the challenge of returning to elite performance levels.