As featured on NewsNow: Football news

Belgium coach Martinez unsure about fitness of Real Madrid midfielder Hazard

Belgium coach Roberto Martinez is unsure about the fitness of Real Madrid midfielder Eden Hazard.

Hazard played just 10 minutes in Belgium's last friendly ahead of the 2020 European Championship, but Martinez stressed that their objective was just to see him stepping onto the pitch.

Following two injury plagued seasons at Real Madrid, Hazard came off the bench in the 82nd minute of the game against Croatia with the score at 1-0 to make his first appearance for Belgium since November 2019.

"The target for Eden is for him to be on the pitch," Martinez told the press conference after the game.

"It was almost a psychological step. The minutes didn't matter. Now he will have to get more minutes. The next step will be in training. He has to take that step forward without risk, in a safe way.

"It is difficult to say when he will be ready, I think it depends on many things. What matters is that he is medically well now. I want see Eden Hazard happy, with a smile on his face, and making the difference."

Video of the day:

Carlos Volcano
About the author

Carlos Volcano

×

Subscribe and go ad-free

For only $10 a year

  1. Go Ad-Free
  2. Faster site experience
  3. Support great writing
  4. Subscribe now
Launch Offer: 2 months free
×

Subscribe and go ad-free

For only $10 a year

Subscribe now
Launch Offer: 2 months free