Eden Hazard - All Goals and Assists
Eden Hazard - All Goals and Assists
Eden Hazard, born on January 7, 1991, in La Louvière, Belgium, rose to prominence as one of the most exciting attacking midfielders of his generation. His career began at Lille in France, where he quickly established himself as a prodigious talent. He became the first non-French player to win the Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year award, and later, the first player to win the award twice. In the 2010-11 season, he won the league and cup double with Lille, being named the Ligue 1 Player of the Year, the youngest player to achieve this honor.
His impressive performances at Lille, where he made over 190 appearances and scored 50 goals, attracted the attention of top European clubs. In June 2012, Hazard announced on Twitter his decision to join Chelsea, a significant moment that marked the beginning of his illustrious Premier League career. He was seen as a transformative signing for the London club.
At Chelsea, Hazard quickly became the team's creative heartbeat and a fan favorite. Known for his mesmerizing dribbling, close control, agility, and ability to create chances, he consistently terrorized opposition defenses. In his first season, he helped Chelsea win the UEFA Europa League. His individual brilliance was consistently recognized, earning him the PFA Young Player of the Year in his second season.
The 2014-15 season saw Hazard lead Chelsea to the Premier League title and the League Cup, a season in which he was awarded both the FWA Footballer of the Year and the PFA Players' Player of the Year. He continued to be the catalyst for Chelsea's success, winning another Premier League title in 2016-17 and the FA Cup in 2018. His final season at Chelsea, 2018-19, was particularly outstanding, as he scored 16 goals and provided 15 assists in the Premier League, and netted twice in the Europa League final against Arsenal, securing another European trophy for the Blues. Overall, he scored 110 goals in 352 appearances for Chelsea.
In 2019, after years of speculation, Hazard made a high-profile move to Real Madrid for a fee that was initially reported at €100 million but could rise to €140 million with incentives, and eventually became Real Madrid's most expensive transfer ever as add-ons were triggered. This transfer was expected to usher in a new era of "Galácticos" at the Spanish club, with Hazard taking on a central role.
However, his time at Real Madrid was unfortunately plagued by a series of persistent injuries, particularly issues with his ankle, muscles, and overall fitness. These setbacks severely limited his playing time and prevented him from consistently showcasing the form that made him a Premier League superstar. He endured multiple spells on the sidelines, significantly impacting his ability to contribute to the team.
Despite the injury struggles, Hazard did manage to win several titles with Real Madrid, including two La Liga titles (2019-20, 2021-22), a UEFA Champions League (2021-22), a UEFA Super Cup (2022-23), a Copa del Rey (2022-23), and two Spanish Super Cups. Although he was part of these triumphs, his personal impact on the pitch was far less than anticipated due to his fitness woes.
Eden Hazard officially retired from professional football in October 2023. His career at Chelsea firmly established him as one of the Premier League's greatest ever players, known for his captivating style and decisive contributions. While his spell at Real Madrid was marred by injury, his legacy as a supremely talented and entertaining footballer remains intact.