Real Madrid have confirmed Eden Hazard will undergo surgery on his ankle in the coming days, a procedure that will rule him out of Champions League games against former club Chelsea.
The Belgian has had an infamously uncomfortable time in Spain since leaving Chelsea in 2019, failing to feature regularly for Los Blancos due to a combination of poor form and frequent injuries.
Hazard was not called up by Belgium coach Roberto Martinez for his country's international fixtures this month and Real have now confirmed an operation will be scheduled with the hope of mending an issue that has caused Hazard grief over the past year.
Their statement reads: "In the coming days, our player, Eden Hazard, will undergo surgery to remove the osteosynthesis plate in his right fibula."
Hazard's most recent appearances for Real were brief cameo appearances back in February and he hasn't started a match since a 2-2 draw with Elche in January.
The forward is expected to miss around four to five weeks of action following surgery, meaning he will be unavailable for Real's Champions League quarter-final fixtures against Chelsea in April.
A breakthrough season for Vinicius Junior has meant Real have not missed Hazard while he's recovered from his many injuries, with Rodrygo or Marco Asensio usually preferred on the other wing.
While Hazard's absence is unlikely to change manager Carlo Ancelotti's plans too much heading into that quarter-final clash against the English side, the potential absence of striker Karim Benzema would be a massive blow.
The Frenchman missed the 4-0 Clasico defeat to Barcelona before the international break, with Real looking particularly clueless without their star striker.
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Source : 90min