Real Madrid star Eden Hazard was awarded the Europa League best player in the 2018/19 campaign on Friday by UEFA.
The Belgian international propelled Chelsea to last season’s title – including scoring twice in a 4-1 final victory over London rivals Arsenal – before a €100m summer move to Los Blancos.
Hazard could not attend the ceremony, which coincided with the group stage draw – featuring Sevilla, Getafe and Espanyol – as he is recovering from injury in the Spanish capital.
“Thank you very much for the prize. It is an honour for me and I want to wish all the players who play this season in the Europa League a lot of luck,” the Belgian said in a pre-recorded video, as cited by Marca.
Hazard played eight games in the Europa League and scored two goals, both in the final. In addition, he gave two assists.
Former Chelsea teammate Olivier Giroud finished second and Luka Jovic – another summer arrival for Madrid, joining in a €60m deal from Eintracht Frankfurt – finished third after scoring eight goals in the continental competition.
