Chelsea legend Eden Hazard made over 300 appearances at Stamford Bridge, helping the Blues to win a brace of Premier League and Europa League trophies, plus the FA Cup
Eden Hazard was an electric footballer, but he was “still drunk” hours before one of his greatest-ever performances, according to a former team-mate.
Hazard, who turns 34 on Tuesday (January 7), is a legend at Chelsea, where, in his 352 appearances for the Blues he helped the club to a brace of Premier League and Europa League trophies and a memorable FA Cup success.
However, it was in France, while turning out for Lille, he first shot to international attention. Hazard was part of the Lille side that stunned PSG – and the entirety of French football – to claim a Ligue 1 triumph back in 2012.
And as former team-mate Rio Mavuba explained to Goal, Hazard’s final game for the French club still lives long in the memory.
“We were certain to finish third and we were facing Nancy the following day. Mavuba explained. “It was Hazard’s last match with Lille and he wanted to organise a little something.
“We decided to go have a little drink. A little drink that dragged on somewhat. The following morning, Eden was still drunk. That evening against Nancy, not even with 30 minutes played, Eden had already bagged a hat-trick.
“The guy had not even slept, he drank for the entire night and he put away a hat-trick in 30 minutes. We all looked at each other [and] we told ourselves that this guy was the real deal.”
Hazard left the Blues when Real Madrid came calling in 2019, but he was never really able to achieve the highs he did at Stamford Bridge.
“You must listen to yourself and stay stop at the right time,” Hazard said in an emotional Instagram post in October 2023. “After 16 years and more than 700 matches played, I have decided to end my career as a professional footballer.
“I was able to realise my dream, I have played and had fun on many pitches around the world. During my career, I was lucky to meet great managers, coaches and team-mates – thank you to everyone for these great times, I will miss you all.
‘I will miss you all. I also want to thank the clubs I have played for: LOSC, Chelsea and Real Madrid; and thank the RBFA for my Belgian Selection. A special thank you to my family, my friends, my advisors and the people who have been close to me in good times and bad.
“Finally, a huge thank you to you, my fans, who have followed me for all these years and for your encouragement everywhere I have played. Now is the time to enjoy my loved ones and have new experiences. See you off the field soon my friends.”