Eden Hazard is set to undergo surgery to fix an ankle problem and will miss Real Madrid's Champions League quarter-final against Chelsea next month.
The Belgium international, 31, will go under the knife to the remove an osteosynthesis plate in his right fibula and is expected to be absent for around a month.
Real's fixtures against the reigning European champions take place on April 6 and 12.
Hazard was fitted with a metal plate in his right leg in March 2020 after breaking his ankle. "In the coming days, our player, Eden Hazard, will undergo surgery to remove the osteosynthesis plate in his right fibula," read a short statement from Real.
Hazard is best known for his exploits at Chelsea. He won two Premier League titles, two Europa Leagues, the FA Cup and EFL Cup during a seven-year spell at Stamford Bridge. In terms of goals, he found the back of the net 110 times in 352 appearances.
Yet he's failed to repeat his talismanic form in Spain. Hazard has scored only six club goals since his big-money move to Real in the summer of 2019, with just one of those coming this year. His time at Madrid has been blighted by injuries, playing just 65 games.
Hazard hasn't played since February, missing Real's 4-0 home defeat to Barcelona. Carlo Ancelotti's side are currently top of La Liga, nine points ahead of Sevilla in second. The title rivals face each other on April 17. Barcelona are third, 12 points behind Real.
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Hazard, who is repeatedly linked with a return to the Premier League, still has 27 months remaining on his existing deal. Despite transfer rumours, it's believed the winger wants to see out his contract at Real before choosing his next step.
"Eden is fine where he is and his family feels good there," said Hazard's brother Kylian earlier this month. "He has a contract until 2024 and I think he will stay until then.
"Maybe Eden is playing a little less now and the team is functioning without him. But everyone knows how good he is. He has to show he is a good substitute."
Hazard said last September: "I signed with Real Madrid for five seasons. The first two have not been good, the injuries have not helped me, but I still have three more to prove my worth. I hope it works, I hope to get up one morning and feel great on the training ground.
"If I feel pain there, I drag it to the games and I will continue to have it. I am waiting for that moment when I can show my worth again. Real Madrid have already spent a lot of money on me. I want to give something back to them."
Hazard started his career at Lille, winning a French league and cup double in 2010-11. He is Belgium's captain, winning 116 senior caps to date. Speaking in January, Ancelotti told reporters: "Hazard is in our plans for the next season, I can confirm."
