Eden Hazard’s retirement from professional football was announced on October 10, 2023, at the age of 32. He stated that he wanted to focus on spending more time with his family and seeking out new experiences after an injury-plagued four-year spell at Real Madrid.
Eden Water Hazard aged 33 years old, has been a lingering name in the football world for over 16 years re playing for Liile, Chelsea, Real Madrid, and the Belgian national team. With his exceptional dribbling skills and vision on the field, he has captivated fans worldwide and is regarded as the best player of his generation.
However, Eden Hazard’s retirement from football has left many wondering what’s next for this talented player. In this article, we’ll delve into Hazard’s childhood, relationships, transfer news, club, stats, net worth, and awards.
EDEN HAZARD’S RETIREMENT: CHILDHOOD AND EARLY BEGINNINGS.
Born on January 7, 1991, in La Louvière, Belgium, Eden Hazard grew up in a family of football enthusiasts. His parents, Thierry and Carine, encouraged his love for the sport from a young age. Hazard’s talent was evident even as a child, and he joined the local club Royal Stade Brainois at just five years old.
As he honed his skills, Hazard’s dedication and natural ability caught the attention of scouts from top Belgian clubs. At 14, he moved to Tubize, where he spent two years before joining Lille’s prestigious academy in France.
Eden Hazard was born into a family of football enthusiasts in La Louvière, Belgium. His parents, Thierry and Carine, encouraged his love for the sport from a young age. Hazard’s father, Thierry, was a semi-professional footballer himself, and his mother, Carine, was a sports enthusiast.
Hazard’s childhood was marked by a strong passion for football, which was shared by his three brothers, Thorgan, Kylian, and Ethan. The four brothers would spend hours playing football in their backyard, fostering a competitive spirit that would drive them to succeed in the sport.
Thorgan, the eldest of the Hazard brothers, is also a professional footballer and plays as an attacking midfielder for Borussia Dortmund. Kylian, the third brother, plays for Cercle Brugge in the Belgian Pro League. Ethan, the youngest, is still developing his skills in the youth ranks.
Growing up, the Hazard brothers were inseparable, both on and off the pitch. They would often play for the same local clubs, with Eden and Thorgan even sharing a room at the Lille academy. This close bond has remained strong throughout their lives, with the brothers frequently supporting each other at matches.
EDEN HAZARD’S RELATIONSHIP AND PERSONAL LIFE
Eden Hazard’s personal life has been subject to scrutiny, particularly his relationships. In 2012, he married Natacha Van Honacker, and the couple has three sons together. However, their relationship has faced challenges, with Hazard’s infidelity making headlines in 2019.
EDEN HAZARD’S RETIREMENT: EDEN HAZARD’S TRANSFERS: A JOURNEY FROM LILLE TO MADRID.
Eden Hazard’s transfers have been a subject of interest for football fans and pundits alike. From his early days at Lille to his high-profile move to Real Madrid, Hazard’s journey has been marked by excitement, anticipation, and sometimes controversy.
_Lille (2007-2012)
Eden Hazard’s career kick-started from Lille as he was a member of their youth team till he rose through the ranks to be a first-team player.
– Achievements:
– Ligue 1 title (2010-2011)
– Coupe de France (2010-2011)
– UNFP Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year (2009, 2010)
– UNFP Ligue 1 Team of the Year (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012)
_Lille to Chelsea (2012/13)_
Hazard’s first major transfer move came in 2012 when he left Lille for Chelsea FC. The Belgian midfielder had already made a name for himself in the French league, helping Lille win the Ligue 1 title and Coupe de France. Chelsea signed Hazard for a reported £35million, a significant fee at the time.
_Chelsea (2012-2019)_
– Achievements:
– Premier League title (2014-2015, 2016-2017)
– Europa League (2012-2013, 2018-2019)
– FA Cup (2018-2019)
– League Cup (2014-2015)
– PFA Players’ Player of the Year (2014-2015)
– FWA Footballer of the Year (2014-2015)
_Chelsea to Real Madrid (2019)_
Afterwards in 2019, Hazard made the highly anticipated move to Real Madrid, joining the Spanish giants for an initial £89 million, with add-ons potentially increasing the fee to £120.80 million. The transfer was seen as a major coup for Real Madrid, who had been pursuing Hazard for several years.
_Real Madrid (2019-2023)_
– Achievements
– La Liga title (2019-2020, 2021-2022).
– Spanish Super Cup (2019-2020)
– FIFA Club World Cup.
– Copa Del Rey.
– UEFA Champions League (2021-2022)
– UEFA Super Cup (2022-2023)
_Termination of Contract (2023)_
In June 2023, Real Madrid announced the termination of Hazard’s contract, two years before its expiration. The decision came after a decline in form as a result of series of injuries, which limited Hazard’s playing time and effectiveness.
EDEN HAZARD’S RETIREMENT : A JOURNEY THROUGH HIS CLUBS AND COUNTRY.
EDEN HAZARD’S STATS FOR BELGIUM
Hazard made his debut for the Belgian national team on November 19, 2008, in a friendly match against Luxembourg. He was just 17 years old at the time. His first goal for Belgium came on October 7, 2011, in a Euro 2012 qualifier against Kazakhstan.
Since then, Hazard has become a key player for Belgium, earning 126 caps and scoring 33 goals. He played a crucial role in their 2018 World Cup campaign, scoring three goals and providing two assists as Eden Hazard and the golden generation finished third at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Eden Hazard’s personal life has faced scrutiny, particularly his relationships and high-profile feuds. One notable example is his complicated history with Kevin De Bruyne, his former Belgian teammate.
The tension between Hazard and De Bruyne reportedly began during the 2018 World Cup, where Belgium finished third. The two players had differing opinions on team tactics, leading to a rift in their relationship.
In 2020, De Bruyne publicly criticized Hazard’s leadership and work ethic, stating that he “doesn’t care” about the Belgian team. Hazard responded by accusing De Bruyne of being “jealous” of his success.
Despite efforts to downplay the feud, the tension between the two players remains palpable. However, Eden Hazard announced his retirement from international football on the 10th of December, 2022.
– Debut: November 19, 2008, vs. Luxembourg (friendly)
– First Goal: October 7, 2011, vs. Kazakhstan (Euro 2012 qualifier)
– Achievements:
– 2018 FIFA World Cup third place
– UEFA Euro 2016 quarterfinalist
– Appearances: 126
– Goals: 33
– Assists: 36
EDEN HAZARD’S STATS AT LILLE
Hazard began his professional career at Lille, making his debut on September 24, 2007, against Lens in Ligue 1. He scored his first goal for the club on the same day, announcing his arrival in the football world.
During his five seasons at Lille, Hazard developed into one of the most promising young players in Europe. He helped the team win the Ligue 1 title and Coupe de France in 2011, earning individual accolades such as UNFP Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year and UNFP Ligue 1 Team of the Year.
– Debut: September 24, 2007, vs. Lens (Ligue 1)
– First Goal: September 24, 2007, vs. Lens (Ligue 1)
– Achievements:
– Ligue 1 title (2010-2011)
– Coupe de France (2010-2011)
– UNFP Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year (2009, 2010)
– UNFP Ligue 1 Team of the Year (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012)
– Appearances: 194
– Goals: 50
– Assists: 53
EDEN HAZARD’S STATS AT CHELSEA
Hazard joined Chelsea in 2012, making his debut on July 18, 2012, in a friendly match against Seattle Sounders. His first goal for the club came on August 18, 2012, in a Premier League match against Wigan Athletic.
At Chelsea, Hazard spent seven successful seasons, winning numerous titles, including two Premier League titles, the Europa League, the FA Cup, and the League Cup. He was also named PFA Players’ Player of the Year and FWA Footballer of the Year in 2015.
– Debut: July 18, 2012, vs. Seattle Sounders (friendly)
– First Goal: August 18, 2012, vs. Wigan Athletic (Premier League)
– Achievements:
– Premier League title (2014-2015, 2016-2017)
– Europa League (2012-2013)
– FA Cup (2011-2012)
– League Cup (2014-2015)
– PFA Players’ Player of the Year (2014-2015)
– FWA Footballer of the Year (2014-2015)
– Appearances: 352
– Goals: 110
– Assists: 85
EDEN HAZARD’S STATS AT REAL MADRID
Hazard joined Real Madrid in 2019, making his debut on September 14, 2019, against Levante in La Liga. His first goal for the club came on October 5, 2019, against Granada in La Liga.
Despite struggling with injuries, Hazard has still managed to win several titles with Real Madrid, including the La Liga title, Spanish Super Cup, UEFA Super Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup.
– Debut: September 14, 2019, vs. Levante (La Liga)
– First Goal: October 5, 2019, vs. Granada (La Liga)
– Achievements:
– La Liga title (2019-2020)
– Spanish Super Cup (2019-2020)
– UEFA Super Cup (2019)
– FIFA Club World Cup (2019)
– Appearances: 73
– Goals: 7
– Assists: 15
EDEN HAZARD’S NET WORTH, TROPHIES, AND AWARDS
Eden Hazard, the Belgian midfielder, has accumulated a significant net worth, impressive trophy collection, and numerous awards throughout his illustrious career.
Net Worth
Eden Hazard’s net worth is estimated to be around £100 million ($130 million). His primary source of income is his professional football career, with significant contributions from:
1. Salaries and bonuses from his clubs (Lille, Chelsea, and Real Madrid)
2. Endorsement deals with top brands (Nike, Adidas, and others)
3. Sponsorship agreements
4. Licensing and merchandise sales
Trophies
Hazard has won numerous trophies with his clubs and country, including:
1. Ligue 1 title (2010-2011) – Lille
2. Coupe de France (2010-2011) – Lille
3. Premier League title (2014-2015, 2016-2017) – Chelsea
4. Europa League (2012-2013, 2018-2019) – Chelsea
5. FA Cup (2018-2019) – Chelsea
6. League Cup (2014-2015) – Chelsea
7. La Liga title (2019-2020, 2021-22) – Real Madrid
8. Spanish Super Cup (2019-2020) – Real Madrid
9. UEFA Super Cup (2019) – Real Madrid
10. FIFA Club World Cup (2019) – Real Madrid
11. FIFA World Cup third place (2018) – Belgium
12: UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (2019/20) – Real Madrid.
Awards
Hazard has received numerous individual awards and accolades, including:
1. UNFP Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year (2009, 2010)
2. UNFP Ligue 1 Team of the Year (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012)
3. PFA Players’ Player of the Year (2014-2015)
4. FWA Footballer of the Year (2014-2015)
5. Premier League Player of the Season (2014-2015)
6. Chelsea Player of the Year (2013-2014, 2014-2015, 2015-2016)
7. Belgian Golden Shoe (2017, 2018)
8. UEFA Europa League Squad of the Season (2018-2019).
FINAL THOUGHTS
Eden Hazard’s retirement from professional football has garnered reactions from football fans as we all wanted to see more from the Belgian Superstar.
However, he decided to close the curtain on what can be termed a beautiful career.
If you were to describe Eden Hazard’s career with one word, what would it be? Let me know in the comment section.
Let’s go back in time to enjoy Magical Eden Hazard Moments.