"It is my dream since I was a kid... I was dreaming about this club."
Those were the words of Eden Hazard in October 2018, when he was asked about the possibility of joining Real Madrid. At the time, the Belgium international was at the peak of his powers and torn between signing a new deal at Chelsea or heading to Spain.
He chose the latter the following June, but that childhood dream quickly turned into a grown-up nightmare. Hazard ditched his cosy London romcom for an ongoing Madrid horror, with no safe haven in sight. Only time will tell how his footballing story ends.
Fall from grace
It's important to remember just how good Hazard was at Chelsea. The winger scored 110 goals, won six major honours - including two Premier League titles and two Europa Leagues - and was named as the PFA Players' Player of the Year during the 2014/15 term.
Hazard's final season at Stamford Bridge was arguably his best. He scored 21 goals in all competitions - his best return for Chelsea - and was named as the Europa League's Player of the Season after scoring a brace against Arsenal in the final, which ended in a 4-1 win.
At 28, there was nothing to suggest Hazard's career was heading in the wrong direction. The former Lille star was one of the best players in Europe, which is why Real paid an initial £89million for his services. He seemed destined to be the next great Galactico.
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Former Real president Ramon Calderon proclaimed, "The player is one of those that anyone would like to have on their team - good dribbling, excellent passing and he can play both flanks because he uses the two feet... that player that can make the difference."
Yet Hazard's time in Madrid started badly. He was not fit enough to make his debut until September 2019, with his first start coming a month later. Then, an ankle injury further delayed his progress. He finished his first season with just 22 games to his name.
Hazard endured a similar start to the 2019/20 term, as he managed just four LaLiga outings before Christmas. That allowed other players - such as Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo - to make a name for themselves. By the time Hazard returned, he was on the periphery.
And, as more time has passed, Hazard has become the forgotten man at the Bernabeu. He has played just three times in LaLiga this season, spending most of the campaign on the bench. Tellingly, he has been left on the bench 26 times this term.
Hazard's international career has also concluded. He captained Belgium to a third-placed finish at the World Cup in Russia but retired after his country's dreadful showing at last year's tournament in Qatar. It has been a long time since he's dazzled on the pitch.
What next?
In short, Hazard's move to Real has not gone to plan. But does he regret the transfer? After all, he's got to make 73 appearances (and slowly counting) for his boyhood club and added five more honours to his trophy cabinet - including the Champions League.
Maybe not, but there is no doubting the fact Hazard's status as one of Europe's leading players has evaporated in the Spanish sun. Having said that, there is still time for him to climb his way back to the top. At 32, he is still young enough for a last dance.
But will that dance be a flamenco? Or will does he fancy another strut down the King's Road? Hazard was asked the latter question during an interview with Marca in November. He replied, "Chelsea? I was never close to returning or to leave Real Madrid in general. Chelsea have never called me... Why there are always Chelsea links? No idea, honestly."
Hazard insisted he would "accept" Real's decision if they told him to leave, but he doesn't want to go. The footballer, who is Real's best-paid player, likes living in Madrid and his family are settled there. His son Leo is even part of Real's youth academy.
According to The Athletic, Hazard intends to see out the remaining 16 months of his contract for these very reasons. Yet his apparent refusal to leave is thought to be causing tension in Madrid, as some players and coaches believe his time at the top is over.
Hazard is also said to be annoyed with his lack of minutes under Real boss Carlo Ancelotti. He is not giving up on his Spanish dream, though, after protesting as much in his interview with Marca. "I would like to play more... I am a good player," said the Belgian.
And perhaps that is why Hazard will not leave Real. He vehemently believes that finally - in the last year of his contract - that he will leave his mark in the Spanish capital and avoid the flop tag. Even if he doesn't, at least he will be remunerated very handsomely.
Time is running out for Hazard to turn his Spanish horror into a thriller; a dramatic twist that transforms the nightmare into a dream again. Like Hazard at his pomp, football is gloriously unpredictable. Maybe, just maybe, he will come good for Real. You never know...
