Real Madrid fans were eager to find out if Eden Hazard would be unveiled with or without a number, since it would have given them a hint on which player was set to leave the club.
All of the first-team numbers used by Hazard in the past are currently owned by other Real Madrid players. Mariano is Los Blancos' current No. 7, Luka Modric wears Number 10, Gareth Bale famously uses number 11, and Lucas Vázquez uses Number 17 since his arrival. With that in mind, and just like with Luka Jovic, Los Blancos' execs decided to unveil Hazard without a number on his jersey, in a decision that is intended to respect the current owners of each number.
The footballer was asked about this matter during the press conference right after his first contact with Real Madrid fans, and he shared a funny story on that matter.
"I was lucky enough to talk with Modric after (Mateo) Kovacic made the connection. I jokingly asked him if I could have the Number 10 jersey and he turned me down," Hazard replied while laughing.
"Either way, the number on my back is not important, what really matters is being able to play for this team and to wear this badge," Hazard added,
Even if he has no preference for any number, the player's inner circle told Spanish newspaper As that Hazard is keen on wearing either Number 7 or Number 11, which as we mentioned lines above, belong to Mariano and Gareth Bale, respectively.
The Domincan striker has been linked to Fenerbahce, while Bale is expected to join a Premier League club, despite his initial reluctance to do so. Hazard's arrival may speed things up, and surely all summer transfer window moves where these two players will be followed closely by the Belgian ace.
