10 fun facts about Eden Hazard

On January 7, 1991, Eden Hazard was born in La Louviere, Belgium. At the tender age of four, he joined his hometown club, Royal Stade Brainois. After spending eight years there, Hazard made a move to Tubize, catching the attention of Lille scouts. In 2007, at the age of 16, he made the decision to move to France and joined Lille’s youth academy.

Initially, he played for the reserve team before making his debut for the first team on November 24, 2007, in a Ligue 1 match against Nancy. Coming on as a substitute in the 78th minute, Hazard quickly showcased his talent and became one of the most promising young players in France. His contributions played a significant role in Lille’s triumph in the 2010-11 season, securing both the league and cup titles.

In 2012, Hazard made a high-profile move to Chelsea, with a reported fee of £32 million. During his seven-year tenure at the club, he achieved remarkable success, winning two Premier League titles, two Europa Leagues, one FA Cup, and one League Cup. Hazard’s exceptional performances earned him the prestigious title of Chelsea Player of the Year on four occasions.

Hazard’s long-held aspiration of joining Real Madrid came true in 2019, with a reported transfer fee of €100 million. However, his time at the Santiago Bernabeu has been marred by injuries, leaving both Hazard and current manager Carlo Ancelotti dissatisfied. On the international stage, Hazard proudly represented Belgium in prestigious tournaments such as the FIFA World Cups in 2014 and 2018, as well as the UEFA European Championships in 2016 and 2020.

His outstanding performances led to him being named Belgian Player of the Year three times (2017, 2018, 2019) and he played a crucial role in guiding the Red Devils to an impressive third-place finish in the 2018 World Cup, where he was honored with the Silver Ball award. Here are 10 fun facts about him.

1. Started playing football at an early age

At the tender age of four, Hazard embarked on his football journey by becoming a member of his beloved hometown club, Royal Stade Brainois. For an impressive eight years, he dedicated his time and skills to the team before venturing towards new horizons with AFC Tubize. In 2005, Hazard found his true calling when he joined Lille, marking the beginning of an extraordinary chapter in his football career.

2. Comes from a football family

Eden’s parents, Carine and Thierry, both had successful careers in football. Carine played as a striker in the Belgian Women’s First Division for six years, from the age of 20 to 26.

However, she decided to stop playing when she was three months pregnant with Eden and never returned to the field. On the other hand, Thierry was a defensive midfielder for La Louviere in the Belgian Second Division.

As for Eden, he is the oldest among his four brothers. All three of his younger brothers, Thorgan, Kylian, and Ethan, have also followed in their parents’ footsteps and become professional footballers. Thorgan joined Chelsea in 2012, shortly after his brother Eden signed with the club.

Currently, Thorgan plays for Borussia Dortmund. Kylian, on the other hand, is currently playing in the Belgian First Division B, which is the second tier of Belgian football, for RWD Molenbeek. Ethan, the youngest of the brothers, is currently a part of the under-21 team of Tubize, which is Eden’s former club.

3. Youngest goalscorer for Lille at the time

Hazard’s promotion to the first team was finalized during the 2008-09 season. On September 20, 2008, he entered the field as a substitute in a match against Auxerre. Despite Lille being behind 2-1, Hazard’s impact was undeniable as he scored the equalizer in the 88th minute.

Ultimately, Lille emerged victorious with a 3-2 win, courtesy of Tulio de Melo’s stoppage-time goal. Hazard’s goal not only leveled the score at 2-2 but also made him the youngest goal scorer in the club’s history, achieving this feat at the age of 17 years and 257 days.

3. Left Lille after seven years

Hazard’s journey in the world of football took an exciting turn when he made the switch from Lille to Chelsea on July 1, 2012. After seven successful years at Lille, he embraced a new challenge at Chelsea.

Then, on July 1, 2019, he embarked on another adventure by joining the prestigious Real Madrid. His talent and leadership qualities were recognized when he was chosen as Belgium’s captain in 2015. However, in 2022, he decided to retire from the national team, leaving behind a remarkable legacy.

4. First player to win the Young Player of the Year award twice

During the 2009-10 season, Hazard’s exceptional performances in the Europa League caught the attention of top clubs throughout Europe. In France, he seamlessly carried on his impressive form from his debut season, scoring goals against Lens, Montpellier, and Le Mans to demonstrate his ability to shine in crucial matches as Lille relentlessly pursued the Ligue 1 championship.

He was nominated for both the Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year awards, making history by winning the latter accolade for two consecutive seasons, although he narrowly missed out on the former to Lyon’s prolific goal scorer, Lisandro Lopez.

5. Football legend

Known for his exceptional dribbling abilities, inventive playmaking, and remarkable goal-scoring instincts, Hazard is universally acknowledged as one of the most outstanding offensive players of his era. Over the course of his illustrious career, he has amassed a plethora of individual accolades, solidifying his status as a revered figure at both Chelsea and Lille.

6. A philanthropist

Hazard has gained recognition for his philanthropic pursuits. He actively backs charitable organizations and utilizes his influence to bring about a positive change in people’s lives. Hazard’s accomplishments and worldwide appeal have resulted in numerous profitable endorsement agreements. Collaborating with renowned brands such as Nike and Samsung has further solidified his position as a prominent figure in the realm of sports on a global scale.

7. Idolises Zinedine Zidane

Zidane exerted a significant impact on the budding talent of Hazard. The young player proudly sported a France national team jersey adorned with Zidane’s name and number, while growing up idolizing the legendary Zizou. Even before Hazard’s arrival at Real Madrid, Zidane openly expressed his admiration for the Belgian’s unique playing style.

This sentiment was revealed by Zidane himself during an interview with MARCA in 2010, “Eden is technically gifted and very fast. He will be a major star in the future. I would take him to Real Madrid with my eyes closed.” Furthermore, in 2015, Zidane reaffirmed his affection for Hazard, once again professing his love for the talented player.

8. A World Cup record holder

In the 2018 World Cup quarter-final match between Belgium and Brazil, Belgium emerged victorious with a 2-1 scoreline. Hazard’s exceptional display on the field played a crucial role in leading the Red Devils to the semi-finals. With a flawless success rate, he skillfully executed 10 dribbles, setting a new record for the most successful dribbles by a player in a World Cup game since 1966.

9. His first hat-trick

On February 8, 2014, Hazard made history by netting his very first hat-trick at the senior level. The electrifying match took place at Stamford Bridge, where Chelsea triumphed over Newcastle United with a resounding 3-0 victory. It’s quite remarkable that at the tender age of 23, Hazard achieved this feat. Interestingly enough, Cristiano Ronaldo, too, secured his inaugural hat-trick at the age of 23, facing the very same opponents.

10. First international footballer to win the Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year

Hazard’s historic achievement as the youngest goal scorer in club history did not automatically secure him a starting position. However, as the second half of the season progressed, his name started appearing more frequently on the team sheet, greatly benefiting Lille.

Notably, he made significant contributions in matches against Sochaux and Monaco, scoring crucial goals that led to victory. Additionally, in the Coupe de France, he showcased his talent by scoring against Lyon, ultimately eliminating the reigning champions.

As the season unfolded, it became increasingly evident that Lille had discovered a true gem in Hazard, as he continued to deliver in important games, including a goal against Marseille. This outstanding performance earned him the prestigious Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year award, making him the first international player to achieve this honor.