Eden Hazard
Who was Eden Hazard?
Belgian winger who starred for Chelsea and Real Madrid, captaining Belgium's national team to third place at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Eden Hazard (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Eden Michael Walter Lucien Hazard was born on January 7, 1991, in La Louvière, Belgium. He became one of the most talented wingers of his generation, known for his outstanding dribbling, creativity, and vision on the soccer field. He kicked off his professional career remarkably early, joining French club Lille at just 16 in 2007, quickly making a name for himself in European soccer.
During his time with Lille, Hazard hit several impressive milestones. He was the first non-French player to win the Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year award and the first to win it twice. His growth peaked in the 2010-11 season when he helped Lille clinch a league and cup double, earning him the Ligue 1 Player of the Year award as the youngest ever. After over 190 appearances and 50 goals for Lille, his performances caught the eye of top European teams.
In June 2012, Hazard moved to Chelsea, where he spent seven highly successful seasons. He made an immediate impact, winning the UEFA Europa League in his first season and the PFA Young Player of the Year award in his second. The 2014-15 season was his most successful at Chelsea, with the club winning the Football League Cup and Premier League title. His stellar play that season earned him both the FWA Footballer of the Year and PFA Players' Player of the Year awards in 2015. He added a second Premier League title in 2016-17 and other honors, including the FA Cup in 2018 and another Europa League win in 2019, where he scored twice in the final.
Hazard also excelled in international soccer, leading the Belgium national team to their best-ever World Cup finish, securing third place at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His leadership and performances on the world stage cemented his reputation as a top player. In 2019, Real Madrid signed him in a transfer worth up to €150 million—one of the most expensive in soccer history. However, injuries and fitness problems plagued his time at the Spanish club, limiting his appearances and impact. After four challenging seasons at Real Madrid, Hazard left the club in June 2023 and announced his retirement from professional soccer, wrapping up a sixteen-year career at the sport's highest levels.
Before Fame
Before becoming internationally recognized, Hazard grew up in La Louvière, Belgium, in a family passionate about football. His father, Thierry, played semi-professionally, and his mother, Carine, was a former striker in the Belgian women's league. This environment fueled his early passion for the sport, and he started playing organized football at local clubs from a young age.
In the mid-2000s, French clubs were eager to find young talent across Europe. Hazard's outstanding skills caught the eye of Lille's youth academy, leading him to move to France as a teenager. This time saw a rise of technically skilled players who would change European football, with youth development programs becoming more advanced and globally oriented than ever before.
Key Achievements
- Won PFA Players' Player of the Year award in 2015
- Captained Belgium to third place at the 2018 FIFA World Cup
- Won two Premier League titles with Chelsea (2014-15, 2016-17)
- Became youngest ever Ligue 1 Player of the Year winner in 2011
- Won UEFA Europa League twice with Chelsea (2013, 2019)
Did You Know?
- 01.He became the first player to win the Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year award twice consecutively
- 02.Hazard was the youngest player ever to win the Ligue 1 Player of the Year award when he claimed it in 2011
- 03.He scored twice in the 2019 Europa League final, helping Chelsea defeat Arsenal 4-1 in his final match for the club
- 04.His transfer to Real Madrid was worth up to €150 million, making it one of the highest transfer fees in football history
- 05.All four Hazard brothers became professional footballers, with Thorgan also representing Belgium internationally
Family & Personal Life
Awards & Honors
| Award | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|
| PFA Players' Player of the Year | 2015 | — |