Football is full of surprises, and Eden Hazard gave us one following his release from Real Madrid when he announced his retirement from football. Hazard was just 32 when he made this announcement, and while he suffered injury and fitness problems at Real Madrid, they weren’t enough to stop him from playing the game he claimed to love dearly.
Since then, he has been enjoying his retirement, appearing on social media with different podcasts. Recently, Eden Hazard took a trip to Lille, where it all started for him regarding football. Lille OSC did something huge as a tribute to his contribution to the game, and the former Chelsea star had some light jokes to throw around at the event.
Eden Hazard mocks himself with jokes on Lille’ new pitch
Eden Hazard is one of the most naturally gifted footballers the world will ever see. This finite list includes Lionel Messi, Ronaldinho, Diego Maradona, and Isco at Real Betis. Eden Hazard belongs to that exclusive list because everything he did during his short, yet illustrious career was effortless. The goals, the dribbles, the defense-splitting passes. Some former teammates even said he didn’t have to train to prepare for a game.
Hazard’s talent shone through at Lille, where he only played for five years. Despite his short stint in the French club’s senior team, he’s highly regarded there. Two days ago, Lille OSC named a training ground after him, with Hazard laying out some funny ground rules for the club’s youngsters. “I only have one thing to say,” the 2022 Champions League winner said.
“This is the Eden Hazard pitch, so no gym, no running. Only playing football and breaking ankles,” he added.
This was a reference to his own lifestyle as a player, which became magnified when he made the big-money switch to Real Madrid. Hazard admitted to turning up for pre-season overweight because it was his usual routine. He claimed he didn’t train or do personal training during the off-season because it was his time off from football, so he spent it with his family and friends.
Eden Hazard is greeted like a hero in return to Lille
Eden Hazard joined Lille’s youth team in 2005 as a 14-year-old. He quickly worked his way through the ranks and became a mainstay in the team two years later when he was 16. Hazard became a household name during his senior years at Lille. He helped the club to a league double in 2011, garnering him attention from other European clubs, but Hazard decided to stay at Lille for one more year.
Even though he only spent five senior seasons at the club, Hazard remains a popular name at the French club, and the kind of warm reception he was given on his return to the club a few days ago is a testament to how much love people over there have for him. Hazard had a training ground named after him, the Eden Hazard Terrain. On his return, the fans showered him with love and beautiful chants while he donned the club’s jersey and joined the stands to support the French club for their Ligue 1 tie.
Hazard is a lovable character. Unfortunately, injuries ended his career after his four hellish years at Real Madrid, where it was one injury problem after another. This forced him to quit football in 2023 when he was just 32. At the time of the announcement, many hoped he would make a U-turn on that decision and join a regular club to restart his career, but Eden Hazard doesn’t look like he has plans to come out of retirement.
