This is the case of Vincent Kompany (37), who played with him in the Belgian national team.
The now Burnley boss believes Hazard just lacks a bit of luck and confidence from the manager.
"There is still magic in him, in the player and in the person. He can still score in the Champions League final, win titles. We have to hope for the best," he said on his country's RTBF television.
However, the numbers belie him. For Ancelotti, Hazard does not feature. He has played five LaLiga games, three Champions League games and one cup game for Real Madrid this season. The last one in which he appeared, this past Saturday, was as a substitute - 11 minutes in which he showed an alarming lack of pace and even coordination and agility.
To remember his last goal you have to go back to the beginning of the campaign, when he scored a goal against Celtic in Glasgow. After that, a void.
Even so, Kompany still has faith in him and sees no end in sight."It's too early. He had injuries, he has dealt with them and the aftermath. It's difficult to come back," says his former international team-mate.
Hazard will have mixed feelings on his return to Stamford Bridge on Tuesday, where he will take his place on the bench. He will be applauded by the Blues fans, as he was at the Bernabeu when he passed through their stands in the warm-up, but it does not look like there will be much chance of him getting on the pitch. At least, not until the tie is decided.
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