Hazard unveiled in front of 50,000, kisses the badge, says all the right things for Real Madrid, Chelsea

Context and circumstance matters.

Last summer, a former Chelsea player fulfilled a childhood dream as he was unveiled at the Santiago Bernabeu, kissed the Real Madrid badge, and said all the right things that his new fans wanted to hear.

This summer, a former Chelsea player fulfilled a childhood dream as he was unveiled today at the Santiago Bernabeu, kissed the Real Madrid badge, and said all the right things that his new fans wanted to hear.

“I want to win many titles with Real Madrid, in this shirt. This has been my dream since I was a child and now I’m here. I just want to enjoy this moment.

“I’m going to try to become the best player in the world, but first I wanted to be in the best team in the world.

“I plan to enjoy myself here, because at Real Madrid you have to win as much as possible. Hopefully I can write another page in the history of the club.”

-Eden Hazard; source: Real Madrid vis Sky

The difference was that Eden Hazard, who was unveiled without a number*, also said all the right things when talking about Chelsea, reflecting with happiness and joy on his seven years in London and getting a bit emotional when his Chelsea highlights were shown on the big screen in front of 50,000 expectant Madridistas.

*(Hazard claims to have joked with Modric, by way of Kovacic, about taking his shirt, but Modric was not willing to give it up — of course, the number is not important, said Hazard afterwards in his press conference)

“On a personal level, I was really happy at Chelsea. It was special. Watching those Chelsea videos earlier was very emotional. I do not regret leaving Chelsea sooner,”

-Eden Hazard; source: Real Madrid via /r/chelseafc

(That wasn’t the actual video that played at the stadium. Here’s that one; it’s similar though not quite as slick.)

Hazard’s manner of departure from Chelsea was also a lot amicable than his compatriot’s last summer, to say the least — one burned his bridges, the other already said he will love us forever — so we can only wish him the best of luck in this new chapter of his career.

“There was contact after the World Cup but I stayed at Chelsea for another season. I think it was a good decision, we won the Europa League, it was a good campaign personally, and I just think it was the right time to join Real Madrid.”

“I know it’s been a season of highs and lows because of the success the club enjoyed the past five years, but that’s normal. I’m sure the hunger [for trophies] now is even greater. The style of play is different in La Liga to the Premier League but I don’t think one is more difficult than the other. La Liga will allow me to evolve and improve my game.”

-Eden Hazard; source: Real Madrid via Football.London

He will be great, undoubtedly.