Real: This shirt number dials Hazard

Newcomer Eden Hazard has allegedly chosen his back number for the coming season. As the Marca reports, the Belgian will in future run up with the Blancos with the “23”.

Originally it was said that the 100 million purchase of Chelsea FC would be accompanied by the prestigious “7”. But this one is still worn by Mariano Diaz. And because he has no intention of leaving Real, Hazard opted for the “23” at the training camp in Montreal, Canada.

The reason for this is Hazard’s affinity to the NBA. Michael Jordan and LeBron James, two of the best players of all times, wore this number on their jerseys. At Real the “23” is free after Sergio Reguilon changed to FC Sevilla.

In Chelsea times, Hazard used to run up the 10. This number belongs to Real Luka Modric and, as Hazard already revealed a few weeks ago, he half jokingly asked the Croat whether he didn’t want to give it up. “He said no. I have to find another number,” said the attacker.

With the 23, Hazard would be in good company at Real. This number was once worn by David Beckham and Mesut Özil, among others.

During his performance in the Spanish capital, Hazard had emphasised that the number on the back was not of increased importance to him: “For me, the number is not important, but to play with this jersey and this coat of arms,” explained Hazard.