Former Real Madrid forward Eden Hazard has claimed he won’t be surprised if Brazilian forward Vinícius Júnior decides to call time on his career early as he continues to battle with racists.
Hazard who retired from professional football at the age of 32 played alongside Vinicius at Real Madrid, sharing the same dressing room for four seasons.
Vinicius in the past few years have been a victim of racist abuse from fans. Things got more intense this season when he accused Benfica star Gianluca Prestianni of racially abusing him.
With the issue yet to be resolved, Hazard has claim he won’t be surprised if Vinicius decide to retire from professional football at the age of 30.
Eden Hazard played alongside Vinicius Junior for four seasons at Real Madrid. (Photo by Soccrates/Getty Images)
According to Hazard, Vinicius is a player who is “mentally and physically strong”, qualities that allow him to withstand the pressure surrounding him.
“Nowadays, people talk more about what he does off the pitch or what he goes through, rather than what he brings to the game. People forget what an exceptional player he is,” explained Hazard. “All this must weigh on him. It can’t be easy to take to the pitch thinking only about football. I wouldn’t be surprised if, at 30, he said he was leaving, that he was quitting football, because nothing would change anyway,” explained Hazard in an interview with public broadcaster RTBF.
Despite the controversy that often surrounds the Brazilian striker, Hazard recognises in him a mentality very similar to his own: “He’s just someone who likes football, who loves to play and just wants to have fun. A bit like me when I was on the pitch.”
If he could give him one piece of advice, however, the former Belgian star would urge him to be cautious: “I would say to him, ‘Be careful. Play the way you want to play, but be careful. People are waiting for you to slip up. Keep playing, enjoy yourself and entertain the true football fans.”
Hazard also shared his take on claims that Vinicius instigate fans with his dancing celebration. He compared him with football icon Ronaldinho.
“When you dance after scoring a goal, do it in a way that makes people love you. Ronaldinho danced too, but I don’t remember all this controversy surrounding him.”
