Real Madrid lose Eden Hazard for a month to muscular injury

Real Madrid megabucks signing Eden Hazard has been ruled out the Spanish giants La Liga opener against Celta Vigo after sustaining a muscle injury in Friday’s training session.

A club statement read: “After the tests carried out after training today on our player Hazard by the Real Madrid Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with a muscular injury to the anterior part of his right thigh.”

Madrid have not disclosed a return date for Hazard but sources have told ESPN FC the Belgium international will be on the sidelines for between three and four weeks.

That would mean Hazard could also miss the league games against Valladolid (Aug. 24) and Villarreal (Sept. 1) ahead of September’s international break.

Hazard is the latest of Madrid’s new signings to pick up an injury, with left-back Ferland Mendy and Rodrygo sidelined with their muscle problems, while centre-forward Luka Jovic missed much of preseason with an ankle issue.

Real are also without fellow winger Marco Asensio for the start of the new campaign due to a serious knee injury, while Dani Carvajal is suspended.