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EDEN HAZARD was branded 'another Gareth Bale' as Real Madrid fans spotted him laughing with his Chelsea pals despite his Champions League exit.

The winger, 30, came back on the pitch after the full-time whistle to embrace some familiar faces.

Eden Hazard was criticised for laughing with former Chelsea pals at full-time
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Eden Hazard was criticised for laughing with former Chelsea pals at full-timeCredit: BT Sport
He did not seem too upset at being knocked out of the Champions League semi-finals
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He did not seem too upset at being knocked out of the Champions League semi-finalsCredit: BT Sport
Kurt Zouma and new Chelsea stopper Edouard Mendy caught up with the Real Madrid winger
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Kurt Zouma and new Chelsea stopper Edouard Mendy caught up with the Real Madrid wingerCredit: BT Sport

And after a few words were exchanged with Kurt Zouma and new Chelsea stopper Edouard Mendy, the four-time Chelsea player of the year broke into laughter.

It came moments after his side's European conquest was ended in limp fashion by the Blues while the rest of his team-mates trudged back to the changing rooms dejected.

Late-night football chat show El Chiringuito host Josep Pederol labelled Hazard 'another Bale' and said he cannot stay another second at the club.

Bale came under fire for his attitude at the Bernabeu, accused of prioritising the Wales national team and even golf ahead of the Spanish giants.

And various other pundits weighed in to criticise Hazard's actions.

One said: "There are some players who come to Real Madrid, but Real Madrid does not go into them. He can't stay a minute more at Real Madrid."

Another suggested Hazard should at least have pretended to be upset and added: "It's sad, but this is Hazard. A player with tremendous quality, but he is not professional."

Former Real Madrid winger Javier Balboa tweeted: "Someone explain this to me because I do not understand it," with a series of angry emojis.

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Some fans blasted Hazard for being a 'disgrace' and 'lacking professionalism' with some even demanding he is 'sold immediately'.

Spanish newspapers AS and Marca both gave him a zero in their player ratings.

The latter commented: "The images of him laughing with the Chelsea players are what really hurt Real Madrid supporters, above all because he had shown so little signs of life on the pitch during the game."

And old nemesis Burger King, who trolled him for missing matches and reporting to pre-season overweight, were at it again by suggesting Hazard was overjoyed because the '2-4-1 offer returns to Burger King'.

Ex-Liverpool ace Don Hutchinson told BBC Radio 5 Live: “I've just seen some bizarre scenes. Eden Hazard is laughing with Kurt Zouma and Edouard Mendy. It's a Champions League semi-final.

"I know they are his friends but I can't imagine Cristiano Ronaldo coming off the pitch for Real Madrid laughing.

"That's how laid back Hazard is. I'm not criticising him. I just find it a bit of a weird watch.”

Hazard has managed just four goals in 40 Real Madrid appearances since his £88million switch two years ago.

He was a surprise inclusion from the start at Stamford Bridge but could not replicate some of his best moments at the ground where he enjoyed so much success for seven years.

Hazard took one shot, 53 touches, created no chances and lost the ball 12 times in 89 minutes before Mariano replaced him - by that point the tie was over thanks to goals from Timo Werner and Mason Mount.

But Zinedine Zidane had no regrets starting the Belgian - or off-the-pace captain Sergio Ramos who was rushed back from injury.

The Real boss said: "'Eden has to get his confidence back and he needs to keep playing. Little by little, we have to make sure he recovers.

"We were playing a semi-final and every player was ready, they wouldn't have played if they were not.

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"We can all be proud of the players, we gave it our best shot and we got here, to within one step of the final.

"Chelsea put in a great performance and you have to congratulate them."

The Belgian winger managed just 53 touches and did not create a single chance for his side
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The Belgian winger managed just 53 touches and did not create a single chance for his sideCredit: Reuters
Hazard was taken off on 89 minutes after failing to make any impact on the game
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Hazard was taken off on 89 minutes after failing to make any impact on the gameCredit: The Sun
Cesar Azpilicueta was quick to embrace his former team-mate at the end of the game
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Cesar Azpilicueta was quick to embrace his former team-mate at the end of the gameCredit: AFP
Edouard Mendy and the Chelsea team celebrate in the dressing room after easy Real Madrid Champions League semi-final win
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