Eden Hazard was subbed off shortly before the final whistle at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday after he failed to make an impact as Real Madrid lost 2-0 on the night to his former club; the Belgian could be seen joking and laughing with Chelsea players after the match had ended
Friday 7 May 2021 10:06, UK
Eden Hazard has said sorry and insisted he did not mean to offend any Real Madrid fans after laughing and joking with members of Chelsea's team following his side's exit from the Champions League at the semi-final stage.
Real Madrid lost 3-1 on aggregate after Chelsea progressed to the final thanks to goals from Timo Werner and Mason Mount at Stamford Bridge which gave the Blues a 2-0 win in the semi-final second leg on Wednesday night and set up an all-English tie with Manchester City on May 29 in Istanbul.
Hazard, who scored 110 times in over 350 appearances during his time at the Blues from 2012 to 2019, was substituted just before the end of the game after failing to make an impact against his previous club.
After the final whistle, the Belgium international could be seen laughing and joking with some of his former team-mates.
The 30-year-old's actions drew staunch criticism from Real Madrid supporters and in the Spanish media, with some fans even calling for him to be transferred.
Amid sombre backing music, a clip of El Chiringuito TV presenter Josep Pedrerol went viral after he went on a rant about Hazard, claiming his situation at the club is "very serious" and arguing that he was making a mockery out of Real Madrid supporters.
"I am sorry. I have read lots of opinions about me today and it was not my intention to offend any Real Madrid fans," Hazard posted on his Instagram story on Thursday.
"It has always been my dream to play for Real Madrid and I came here to win. The season is not over and together we must battle for La Liga! Hala Madrid!"
Real Madrid play Sevilla, Granada, Athletic Bilbao and Villarreal before the end of the La Liga season, with Los Blancos currently level on points with Barcelona and two points behind cross-city rivals Atletico Madrid ahead of what is set to be a close title run-in.
