Eden Hazard

Eden Michael Hazard was born on January 7, 1991, in La Louvière, Belgium. He grew up in a family with a strong footballing background; his father Thierry played semi-professional football and his mother Carine was a striker in the Belgian Women's First Division. From a young age, Hazard was exposed to football and his talents were nurtured in a supportive environment. His early years laid the foundation for a charismatic and skilled player who would go on to make a significant impact in the world of football.

Eden Hazard made his league debut for Lille OSC on November 24, 2007, at the age of 16, coming on as a substitute in a 2–0 loss to Nancy. Hazard's promising performance quickly captured the attention of football fans and analysts. His speed, technical ability, and creative flair became apparent even at this young age, setting the stage for his rise as one of the most exciting talents in European football during his time in Ligue 1.

On June 4, 2012, Eden Hazard completed a high-profile transfer to Chelsea FC from Lille OSC for a reported fee of £32 million. The move was highly anticipated as Hazard had been one of the most sought-after talents in Europe after mesmerizing performances in Ligue 1. Joining the Premier League, Hazard quickly became a key player for Chelsea, known for his dribbling skills, vision, and ability to score and assist goals, helping redefine the attacking threat of the team.

Eden Hazard scored a memorable hat-trick against Newcastle United on February 12, 2014, showcasing his exceptional skill and goal-scoring ability. This performance was part of an excellent 2013-14 season, where he established himself as one of the Premier League's most formidable attacking players. Hazard's versatility in dribling and decision-making on the pitch, along with his spectacular goals, made significant contributions to Chelsea's overall success that season.

Eden Hazard was awarded the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) Player of the Year Award on May 26, 2015. This accolade was in recognition of his outstanding performance during the 2014-2015 Premier League season where he played a pivotal role in Chelsea's title-winning campaign. Hazard was praised for his consistently excellent performances, displaying his trademark agility, creative playmaking, and remarkable skill in goal-scoring and assisting.

Eden Hazard captained the Belgian national football team to a third-place finish in the 2018 FIFA World Cup, held in Russia. On July 14, 2018, Belgium defeated England 2-0 in the third place play-off to secure their best ever finish in a World Cup. Hazard's performances throughout the tournament were instrumental to Belgium's success; he was widely praised for his leadership on and off the pitch, contributing with crucial goals and assists during the competition.

On March 7, 2019, Eden Hazard scored his 100th goal for Chelsea FC in a 3-0 victory over Watford, becoming only the tenth player in the club’s history to reach this milestone. This achievement highlighted his significant contribution to the club's success and his prominent role as a critical figure in Chelsea's attacking lineup. Hazard's 100 goals came from a mix of creativity, agility, and precision, reinforcing his status as one of Chelsea's all-time greats.

On June 7, 2019, Eden Hazard transferred from Chelsea FC to Real Madrid for a fee that could reportedly rise up to €150 million, making him one of the most expensive players at the time. The move to the Spanish giants marked a new chapter in Hazard's career, where he aimed to emulate the successes of legendary players like Cristiano Ronaldo. Despite facing challenges such as injuries, Hazard's signing was seen as a major step in Real Madrid's ambitious plans to maintain their dominance.

Eden Hazard was not part of Chelsea FC's victorious Champions League run in the 2020-21 season as he had already joined Real Madrid, however, this date marks the victory of the club he significantly contributed to over 7 years, laying the foundation and elevating Chelsea to aspirations beyond domestic successes. Hazard's previous contributions during this tenure played an undoubted role in building the modern Chelsea that won the title.

On December 7, 2022, Eden Hazard announced his retirement from international football following Belgium's group stage exit from the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Hazard had been a key player and captain for the national team, earning over 120 caps and playing in several major tournaments. His retirement marked the end of an era for Belgian football, where he was known for his skillful play and leadership on the international stage over many successful and memorable years.