Eden Hazard looked back to his old self during Real Madrid's 2-0 win over Juventus and he played a huge role in their second goal.
The Belgium international completed his dream transfer from Chelsea back in 2019 but since then, he's been living a personal nightmare.
Hazard has suffered a number of injuries in the last three years and many wondered if he had a future at the Santiago Bernabeu beyond this summer.
Advert
If his performance at the Rose Bowl overnight is any indication, we could be set for the return of prime Hazard instead.
Karim Benzema put Real ahead with a first half penalty and he was replaced by Hazard just after the hour mark.
It took six minutes for the 31-year-old to get involved and he received the ball from Eduardo Camavinga in the centre of the park.
Advert
He managed to drift away from Federico Gatti and when the midfielder attempted to follow, a neat Cruyff turn from Hazard left Gatti stumped.
Hazard played a quick one-two with Marco Asensio and the Belgium international popped a pass out to Jesus Vallejo.
By this point, he had two Juventus defenders on him and Bremer clattered into the winger which saw him hit the deck.
Real played on and Vallejo managed to find Asensio with a lovely cross and he fired home to double Los Blancos' lead.
Asensio will take all the glory, but Hazard's role in the goal shouldn't be understated.
Advert
The former Lille man is a popular figure in the Real squad despite his lack of game time and he was heavily involved in their Champions League final celebrations back in May.
He discussed his injury troubles with ESPN earlier this month and said: "It’s not that easy, especially when you don’t know why you’re injured.
"I’ve been injured at my time at Chelsea, but not like those three years with Real Madrid.
Advert
"I knew that it was something wrong with my body, so that’s why I asked to do the surgery at the end of the season last year."
Real will now prepare for a huge UEFA Super Cup clash with Europa League winners Eintracht Frankfurt on August 10.
They start their La Liga campaign away to newly-promoted Almeria on August 14.
Topics: Real Madrid, Eden Hazard, Juventus
Daniel Marland