Former Chelsea and Real Madrid superstar Eden Hazard has shed light on his relationship with Carlo Ancelotti. The former Belgium international had a spell under Ancelotti at Real Madrid but could not really make his mark at the Spanish capital club.

However, he has insisted that he shares a very good relationship with Ancelotti despite his poor spell under the legendary Italian manager.

Hazard joined Real Madrid from Chelsea in July 2019 for a reported transfer fee of €115 million. However, the Belgian could never really kick his career off at the Santiago Bernabeu because of persistent injury problems. Hazard goes down in the history books as one of the worst signings ever in football history. During his stint at Real Madrid, Hazard only made 76 appearances for Los Blancos, bagging seven goals and 12 assists in four years.

His contract at the Santiago Bernabeu expired in the summer of 2023 following which he took a shock retirement from football. In a recent interview with former Nigerian midfielder John Obi Mikel, Hazard said that he still admires the Italian manager.

Mikel asked (via MadridXtra): "I read somewhere your relationship with Ancelotti was not the best?"

Hazard replied: "No, no. For me, Carlo is the best. He’s the best. I love the way he is.”

The Belgian lavished praise on Ancelotti on a number of occasions in the past. In March last year, he claimed that he has a lot of respect for the Italian tactical mastermind.

He said: “There’s respect between Ancelotti and I. But, I’m not going to say we talk to each other because we don’t. But there will always be respect. I have to have respect for a guy like Ancelotti. For what he represents for football, and for what he’s done in his career.”

Real Madrid are top of the La Liga table this season with 62 points in 25 games despite seeing their squad being hit with an injury crisis.