Zinedine Zidane has revealed that Eden Hazard had apologised to him, the players and the club for laughing with Chelsea players after Real Madrid's Champions League exit earlier this week.
Hazard joked with Chelsea's Kurt Zouma and Edouard Mendy after the full-time whistle on Wednesday at Stamford Bridge, where Madrid had lost 2-0, and 3-1 on aggregate, to go out in the semi-finals.
It prompted an angry reaction from sections of the media in Spain, with Madrid newspaper Marca claiming Hazard's "popularity is now at rock bottom".
The Belgium attacker issued a public apology to Madrid fans on Thursday and Zidane said in a press conference that Hazard also said sorry to his teammates.
"Eden has apologised and he did it well, it was not his intention to hurt anyone, that is the most important thing," Zidane said on Saturday, before Real Madrid's crucial La Liga game against Sevilla on Sunday.
"He knows what he has to do on the pitch and he's going to do it. We spoke the other day, after the match, but to say that. He was apologising for his reaction – to me, to the club, to the players – and that's it."
Hazard has endured an injury-ravaged two years in Spain since joining from Chelsea in 2019.
Zidane would not address speculation that Madrid will listen to offers for him this summer but disagreed the 30-year-old is not committed to the club.
"All the players have their hearts in the club but for now it hasn't been possible to see the Eden Hazard we want to see," Zidane said.
"But I believe he is going to get there. It's a difficult moment with everything that's happened but he has a contract and what he wants is to succeed here."
Sergio Ramos' future is also uncertain, with another injury ruling the defender out of the game against Sevilla and raising the possibility he has played his last game for Madrid.
Ramos, whose contract expires this summer, has sustained a hamstring injury after making his first appearance in just over a month against Chelsea.
"It wasn't hasty, the other day he played because he was 100 per cent," said Zidane.
"He trained perfectly but after the 90 minutes, he felt something. He is gutted because he can't be with the team for this final stretch of the season."
Real Madrid are two points behind Atletico Madrid in La Liga and level on points with Barcelona, with four games left to play. Barca host Atletico at Camp Nou later on Saturday.
Chelsea 2 Real 0: player ratings
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CHELSEA PLAYER RATINGS: Edouard Mendy 8 – Pulled off two spectacular saves to deny Benzema and ensure Chelsea kept their deserved advantage in the tie. Aside from those stops, commanded his area well and was reliable under the high ball. Getty Images -
Andreas Christensen 8 – Danish centre-back played his part in a rock solid defensive performance from Chelsea. Positionally excellent, strong in the challenge, and brought the ball out confidently combined with good distribution. PA -
Thiago Silva 8 – A second successive Champions League final for the classy Brazilian, who marshalled the Chelsea defence with his typical composure. Had a couple of good chances to get on the scoresheet, too. Reuters -
Antonio Rudiger 9 – The German has been rejuvenated under Thomas Tuchel. Dominated in the air, won every tackle, and his sharp anticipation allowed him to cut off Real Madrid attacks and balls over the top. Reuters -
Cesar Azpilicueta 9 – The Chelsea captain led by example. His positional discipline and concentration saw him keep former teammate Hazard quiet and he helped launch counter-attacks down the right side. EPA -
N’Golo Kante 8 – Man of the match in the first leg, dominant again in the second; the French midfielder produced another trademark performance of breaking up play all over the pitch, protected his defenders, and offered support in attack. Will never be judged on his finishing but should have done better when through on goal. Getty Images -
Jorginho 7 – Italian midfielder went about his usual business, delivering measured passes and holding his position well in a game Chelsea dominated. However, his team’s lack of possession meant he was not as influential as in games when the Blues control the ball. AP -
Ben Chilwell 7 – The English wing-back comfortably won his duel with Vinicius Junior and offered a frequent option in attack. Should have had an assist if Werner had checked his run. Getty Images -
Kai Havertz 8 – The 21-year-old German is getting better by the week after a stop-start season. Always looked dangerous on the ball, ran Ramos and the rest of the Madrid backline ragged, and his clipped effort against the crossbar led to Werner’s opener. Hit the bar again with a header and should have scored when one-on-one with Courtois. His uptick in form bodes well for next season. EPA -
Timo Werner – 7 – Scored his first goal from open play in the Champions League this season with a point-blank header into an open goal. Beyond that vital contribution, his pace and dribbling caused Madrid plenty of problems. Should have scored earlier but strayed offside. EPA -
Mason Mount 8 – Chelsea’s player of the season was instrumental once again. Despite not seeing as much of the ball as he would have liked, Mount was always dangerous on the break and helped the Blues launch numerous counters. Scored the goal that killed the tie, although should have done so earlier when he blazed an effort over the bar. EPA -
SUBS: Christian Pulisic (for Werner 68’) 8 – Perhaps smarting at not making the starting XI after his goalscoring contribution in the first leg, the American forward played like a man with a point to prove. Ripped Madrid apart every time he was on the ball and set up Mount for the all-important second goal. Getty Images -
Reece James (for Azpilicueta 88’) – N/R – Sent on to give Chelsea fresh legs after Azpilicueta’s all-action display. Reuters -
Hakim Ziyech (For Mount 89’) – N/R – Another substitution to provide late energy for Chelsea as the Blues looked to see out the game. Reuters -
Olivier Giroud (For Havertz 90’) – N/R – Classic time-wasting substitution from Tuchel. Reuters -
REAL MADRID PLAYER RATINGS: Thibaut Courtois 7 – Couldn’t do much to prevent either goal but kept his side in the tie with save after save until Mount’s late finish. EPA -
Ferland Mendy 6 – Returning to the side after injury, the French full-back struggled to make much of an impact in forward areas and was often exposed when Chelsea countered. Getty Images -
Sergio Ramos 5 – Rushed back into the team after a six-week layoff, Ramos was understandably off the pace. Given the runaround by Havertz and the rest of the Chelsea attack. Picked up a booking for a rash challenge. Reuters -
Eder Militao 6 – Struggled against the pace of Werner and was often left outnumbered down his side of the pitch. Reuters -
Nacho 7 – The pick of the Real Madrid defenders but his frustrations threatened to boil over and was booked for his clash with Havertz. EPA -
Luka Modric 5 – The Croatian midfielder looked leggy and his impact on the game was limited. One tame long-range effort straight at Mendy summed up his performance. Reuters -
Casemiro 6 – The Brazilian played his part in helping Madrid maintain possession and stuck to his defensive duties, although given his role in the team, was guilty of allowing Chelsea the time and space to launch their many counter-attacks. AFP -
Toni Kroos 5 – Similar to Modric, the German’s creative influence was practically non-existent. Struggled to stamp any authority on the game. AFP -
Eden Hazard 4 – Back at the club where he became a superstar, the Belgian was completely ineffective, save for one decent strike that was easily dealt with by Mendy. Looked a player short of match fitness. PA -
Karim Benzema 6 – The French striker was once again his team’s main attacking threat and he was twice denied by superb stops from Mendy. However, beyond those efforts, never again tested the Chelsea goal. EPA -
Vinicius Junior 5 – Easily dealt with by Chilwell when in attack and struggled with his defensive duties. A quiet, ineffective game from the Brazilian. Getty Images -
SUBS: Federico Valverde (for Mendy 63’) 5 – Brought on in an attacking switch, the midfielder struggled to make much of an impact, although produced a fine last-ditch block on Kante. PA -
Marco Asensio (for Vinicius 63’) 5 – Another change from Zidane that ultimately made little difference to the outcome of the game. AP -
Rodrygo (for Casemiro 76’) 6 – Had a few glimpses that demonstrated the danger he can provide but didn’t get enough time on the pitch or on the ball. EPA -
Mariano Diaz (For Hazard 90’) – N/R – Sent on for Hazard but had few minutes to impact the game. AP
