It's fair to say Eden Hazard's time with Real Madrid hasn't gone to plan... but the "little magician" could be about to embark on another golden spell according to a man who knows him well.
Hazard, 32, left Chelsea for the Bernabeu during the summer of 2019 after seven glittering years with the Blues. Yet he's scored just seven goals since that transfer and been restricted to only nine appearances under manager Carlo Ancelotti this season.
The Belgian retired from international duty after the World Cup in Qatar and is determined to fight for his spot at Real amid transfer rumours. His long-term barber Ahmed AlsanawI, who is better known as A-Star, believes Hazard still has plenty left to offer.
Ahmed is the man responsible for keeping a number of footballers fresh, including Jack Grealish, Phil Foden and Reece James. He started cutting Hazard's hair during the Champions League winner's time at Chelsea and the two have remained close since.
When quizzed about Hazard by Mirror Football, Ahmed - who has announced the release of FINI by A-Star, a brand new haircare range - said: "If you ask any professional footballer... when they're not on the pitch, it's not their happy time.
"He's just had bad luck, but I think he can still do it. He's a special player, he just needs playtime - which hopefully he will get. He's been patient enough, so I don't see why not. I can't wait to see that little magician on the pitch. I miss him!"
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Hazard still has 14 months left on his Real contract but has admitted he will "accept" the club’s decision if they ask him to leave. It's believed the player's family are happy and have settled in the Spanish capital, and his son Leo has even joined Real's youth academy.
"I would like to play more... I am a good player," said Hazard in an interview with Marca last year. The winger has certainly proven his ability in the past, scoring 110 goals during his time at Stamford Bridge to win six trophies - including two Premier League titles.
Hazard's final season with Chelsea was arguably his best, as he scored 21 goals and provided 17 assists to help them win the Europa League and finish third in the Premier League. Real fans would love to see him regain that form in Madrid before it's too late.
Off the pitch, Hazard has a reputation for being one of football’s nice guys. Ahmed has confirmed this is true. He added: "[He’s a] very, very nice guy; very humble. The number one [priority] for him is his family.
"He's just a very laidback guy, there's no ego. Some say, if he was a little bit of an egotistical guy or all these things, he could've been the best player in the world. But because he's so laidback, nothing bothers him. He's the nicest guy ever."
FINI by A-Star is a brand new haircare range from A-Star Barber. For more information, visit www.finibyastar.com or @finibyastar on Instagram.
