Real Madrid have announced that Belgian international Eden Hazard successfully underwent surgery on his right ankle in the United States on Thursday.
According to a statement from the club, the 29-year-old winger broke his right fibula in the 1-0 loss to Levante in La Liga on February 22 and it will take around three or four months to heal. The statement noted that the surgery was done in Dallas and Madrid team doctors supervised the operation to repair the broken fibula.
The Spanish club said the winger will be under close observation until he is given the go-ahead to begin his rehabilitation process. The club said Hazard is expected to return to Santiago Bernabeu in the coming days to continue his recovery.
The former Chelsea forward met with NBA star Dallas Mavericks player Luka Doncic before having the surgery. Both athletes exchanged jerseys, took pictures and shared life experiences.
Hazard joined Madrid from Chelsea for £88.5m last summer and has endured a difficult first season in Spain due to injury problems. He has only managed one goal and four assists in 15 appearances for the Los Blancos.
Due to a hamstring injury, the 29-year-old missed the start of the season and was then sidelined for more than two months due to a hairline fracture in his foot. Hazard will hope to return to full action and captain Belgium to this summer’s European Championships.
Hazard has been an integral part of the Belgium national team since making his debut in 2008 and has led them to a third-place finish at the 2018 World Cup. He has scored 32 goals in 106 caps for his country ranked No.1 position on the FIFA Ranking.
Reacting to Hazard’s injury, national team boss Roberto Martinez believes his captain will return to full fitness in time to play at Euro 2020. Martinez says he is “convinced” Hazard will be back in action for Madrid before the end of the season.
Speaking to Cadena Cope on Thursday, Martinez said: “We spoke with Eden and we are in the process of seeing when he might be able to return to action.
“Everyone was extremely disappointed with his latest injury but it’s part of a footballer’s life.
“In the last eight years, he’s missed very few games but I am convinced that he will come back before the last game in La Liga this summer and will be a big player for Real Madrid.
“Even if Real Madrid’s medical staff have not asked me for my opinions, we’re in contact with them.”
