BIOGRAPHY OF EDEN HAZARD

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BIOGRAPHY OF EDEN HAZARD
BIOGRAPHY OF EDEN HAZARD

Eden Michael Hazard (born 7 January 1991) is a Belgian professional footballer who captains the Belgium national team and plays as a winger or attacking midfielder for Real Madrid. He is largely regarded as one of the best players of his time, with dribbling, ball control, and creativity. 

Hazard began his career in Belgium, where he played for local youth clubs, as the son of two former players. He moved to France in 2005, where he began his senior career with Lille in Ligue 1. Hazard spent two years in the club’s youth before making his professional debut in November 2007 at the age of 16. Under manager Rudi Garcia, he became an important member of the Lille team.

He was the first non-French player to win the Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year award in his first full season, and he went on to win the accolade twice the following season. He was a member of the Lille side that won the league and cup double in 2010–11 and was named the Ligue 1 Player of the Year as a result of his efforts, becoming him the youngest player to receive the accolade.

Hazard joined English club Chelsea in June 2012 after making over 190 appearances and scoring 50 goals for Lille. In his first season, he won the UEFA Europa League, and in his second, he was named PFA Young Player of the Year. Hazard won the FWA Footballer of the Year and the PFA Players’ Player of the Year honours after helping Chelsea win the League Cup and Premier League in the 2014–15 season. He earned his second English league title two years later as Chelsea won the 2016–17 Premier League.

In 2018, he was chosen to the FIFA FIFPro World XI after winning the FA Cup. In June 2019, he won the Europa League for the second time with Chelsea, before joining Real Madrid for up to €150 million and winning La Liga during his injury-plagued rookie season.

Hazard made his senior debut for Belgium in November 2008, aged 17, in a friendly match against Luxembourg, after having represented his country at several juvenile levels. Hazard scored his first international goal against Kazakhstan over three years after making his debut. He has since gained over 110 caps for Belgium, including quarterfinal appearances at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, UEFA Euro 2016, and UEFA Euro 2020.

Early  life

Hazard grew up in Braine-le-Comte and was born in La Louvière. Carine, his mother, and Thierry, his father, were both football players. His father played semi-professional football for the majority of his career with La Louvière in the Belgian Second Division, primarily as a defensive midfielder.  His mother was a striker in the Belgian Women’s First Division until she became pregnant with Eden at the age of three months.  [15] Both parents became sports teachers after playing football.  In 2009, Thierry left his job in order to spend more time with his children.

Hazard is the eldest among four brothers and sisters. Thorgan, who joined him at Chelsea in 2012 but later transferred to Borussia Mönchengladbach in 2015 and subsequently to Borussia Dortmund in 2019, is one of his three brothers who all play football.  Thorgan had previously risen through the Lille’s main rivals Lens’ youth systems. Kylian and Ethan are Hazard’s younger brothers. Kylian joined White Star Bruxelles on 15 July 2013, but then moved on to play for jpest in Hungary before joining Chelsea, while Ethan continues to play in Eden’s former club Tubize’s youth academy.

Hazard and his three siblings grew up in a secure home, with their parents providing them with all they needed to succeed. The brothers frequently ventured onto a training pitch through a little hole to practice and develop their talents because the family resided “not more than three metres” from a football training area.  Hazard “watched him on television and online for hours” as a child, idolizing French playmaker Zinedine Zidane.

Career

Hazard began his football career at the age of four, playing for his hometown team Royal Stade Brainois. One of his young coaches hailed him as a “talented” athlete during his time at the club. He added: “He was quite knowledgeable. I didn’t have anything to teach him “. Hazard stayed at the club for eight years before going to Tubize. While at Tubize, he was noticed by a Lille scout while participating in a local tournament. Following the scout’s report on Hazard, club executives met with his father and offered the young player an aspirant (youth) contract.

Hazard’s parents accepted Lille’s offer, hoping that the training facilities would be better in France. Hazard’s father later admitted that allowing Eden and later Thorgan to join clubs in northern France was the best option, saying, “They stayed so close to home and, at the same time, they integrated at structures where they could grow, because in Belgium, unfortunately, it’s a little empty for youth training.”

Lille

Hazard joined Lille in 2005 and spent two years honing his skills at the club’s local sports school, as the club’s youth academy in Luchin was closed at the time.
He signed his first professional contract with Lille on May 28, 2007, for a three-year period. Hazard was promoted to the club’s reserve team in the Championnat de France amateur, the fourth level of French football, at the age of 16, though he continued to play with Lille’s under-18 team in its league and the Coupe Gambardella. Hazard made his amateur debut in a league match against Racing Club de France on September 1, 2007, coming on as a second-half substitute in a 3–1 loss.  A week later, he got his first start in the team’s 1–0 loss against Lesquin.

Hazard was called up to the senior team on 14 November by manager Claude Puel for a friendly match against Belgian side Bruges on 16 November, after spending the most of October and early November playing with the club’s under-18 team due to numerous players being on international duty. He made his professional debut in the encounter, coming on as a substitute in the 78th minute, after his performance earned him a spot in the 18-man squad to face Nancy in a league match on November 24th.

Hazard rejoined the club’s reserve team in December and played with them. Hazard returned to the first team in January after the winter break, making three league appearances as a substitute against Metz, Sochaux, and Paris Saint-Germain. He was demoted to amateur level after the match against PSG, where he played for the reserve squad in the fourth division and the under-18 team in the Coupe Gambardella. In a 3–2 victory over Vitré on May 17, 2008, he scored his first amateur goal.  Hazard concluded his amateur career with 11 appearances and one goal, assisting the reserve team to a fifth-place finish, which was the highest among the professional clubs’ reserve teams in the group.

Individual achievement and debut season in 2008–10.

Hazard was assigned the number 26 shirt for the 2008–09 season after wearing the number 33 in his rookie season. Rudi Garcia, the new manager, also gave him a permanent promotion to the senior team. Early on, he was a regular replacement, scoring a goal in the 88th minute to make it 2–2 in a game Lille won 3–2 in injury time after a goal from Tulio de Melo. Hazard scored his first goal for the club, making him the club’s youngest goalscorer. Hazard made his first senior start four days after scoring his first goal in a 4–2 loss on penalties against Montpellier in the Coupe de la Ligue.

Hazard started his first league game against Saint-Étienne on November 15, after appearing as a substitute in the team’s next five league games. He concluded the appearance by scoring the opening goal in the club’s 3–0 triumph. Lille offered him a three-year contract extension, which he accepted on November 18, 2008, committing him to the club until 2012.

Hazard returned to the starting lineup in January after appearing as a substitute in December. He scored the game-winning goal in a league encounter against Sochaux in February.  Hazard scored in a 3–2 triumph over the competition’s defending winners Lyon in the Coupe de France Round of 16.  Hazard started eight of Lille’s final 10 league matches, contributing to the team’s fifth-place finish and qualification for the newly founded UEFA Europa League. He was named Young Player of the Year by the National Union of Professional Footballers (UNFP) at the end of the season, becoming the first international player to do so.

Following the 2008–09 season, there was continual media speculation in a number of countries about Hazard’s transfer market availability. Despite Lille chairman Michel Seydoux proclaiming the player off limits and Hazard announcing his intention to stay at the club for at least another season, various clubs have expressed interest in the player. Arsenal and Manchester United of England, Inter Milan of Italy, and Barcelona and Real Madrid of Spain were among them. Zinedine Zidane, a Frenchman, personally suggested the player to the club.

Following the 2008–09 season, there was continual media speculation in a number of countries about Hazard’s transfer market availability. Despite Lille chairman Michel Seydoux proclaiming the player off limits and Hazard announcing his intention to stay at the club for at least another season, various clubs have expressed interest in the player. Arsenal and Manchester United of England, Inter Milan of Italy, and Barcelona and Real Madrid of Spain were among them. Zinedine Zidane, a Frenchman, personally suggested the player to the club.

Hazard scored in the 84th minute of Lille’s vital 3–0 victory over Italian club Genoa on October 22 after coming on as a substitute 10 minutes earlier. Hazard dashed into the midfield after getting the ball on the left wing, dribbling past six Genoa defenders before finishing at the 18-yard box.   Hazard was largely responsible for Lille’s 5–1 thumping of Czech club Slavia Prague a month later, slicing through the defense and delivering a cross near post that was deflected in by Slavia midfielder Marek Such, resulting in an own goal.

Hazard scored in the 84th minute of Lille’s vital 3–0 victory over Italian club Genoa on October 22 after coming on as a substitute 10 minutes earlier. Hazard dashed into the midfield after getting the ball on the left wing, dribbling past six Genoa defenders before finishing at the 18-yard box.   Hazard was largely responsible for Lille’s 5–1 thumping of Czech club Slavia Prague a month later, slicing through the defense and delivering a cross near post that was deflected in by Slavia midfielder Marek Such, resulting in an own goal.  Hazard received the UNFP Player of the Month award for his outstanding performances in March.

Hazard was nominated for the UNFP Ligue 1 Player of the Year award on April 29. He was also nominated for the Young Player of the Year award for the second straight season. Hazard was named UNFP Young Player of the Year for the second straight season on May 9. He became the first player to win the award twice since its introduction in 1994. Hazard was beaten to the Player of the Year accolade, which went to Lisandro López of Lyon. [needs citation].

2010–11: League double, Ligue 1 Player of the Year and continued individual success

Hazard started the 2010–11 season as a starter, appearing in Lille’s first six league games as well as Europa League matches. In a 1–1 tie with Nice on August 29, he got his first goal of the season. Hazard’s inconsistency became apparent in late September, and Garcia benched him to “let him to breathe and learn that his performances were unsatisfactory.” Hazard later stated that his first bout of inconsistency had a negative impact on him, claiming “The initial two months were difficult. I wouldn’t say I started doubting my talents, but I did go through a very tough time”.

On 7 October, Belgium national team manager Georges Leekens stated that Hazard needed to work harder, both physically and mentally, to regain his previous year’s form, citing Hazard’s recent stint on the bench at Lille. Marc Wilmots, the team’s assistant coach, also stated that Hazard frequently displayed a lazy mentality while training with the national team. Garcia responded to Leeken’s comments the next day, calling them “excessive” and stating that “Eden is only 19 years old” and can still “make more progress in all areas.”

Following Belgium’s match against Kazakhstan, in which Hazard did not start or even appear on the substitutes’ bench, Leekens responded to Garcia’s comments by stating that he would stand by his previous comments and that players should think about the team rather than themselves. Hazard later reflected on Leekens and Garcia’s remarks in February 2011, stating “Mentally, I learned a lot during those few weeks. And things have improved since then. The national side has played a role in this, and I enjoy being a part of it.”

He scored his second league goal of the season in a 3–1 win over league leaders Brest following the international break. [68] Hazard assisted both Lille goals in a 2–1 win over Monaco on November 21.  The win extended the club’s domestic unbeaten streak, which propelled Lille to the top of the league table after an emphatic 6–3 victory over Lorient on December 5. Hazard scored in the team’s first match of the year against amateur club Forbach in the Coupe de France. Lille triumphed 3–1. In the team’s next game, a 2–0 league victory over Nice, he assisted goals scored by Moussa Sow and Gervinho.

Hazard scored the second goal in a 3–0 win over Nancy on January 19.  On March 4, Lille officials confirmed that Hazard had signed a new contract extension until 2015, making him the highest-paid player in Ligue 1. Hazard scored the opening goal in Lille’s 2–1 away win over title rivals Marseille in his first match following the news. The goal was scored on a left-footed shot from nearly 35 meters (38 yards) out at a speed of 95 kilometers per hour (59 mph). Hazard scored the second goal in Lille’s 3–1 win over Caen on April 2nd, his 100th league appearance.

The goal tied his career high for goals in a season while also putting Lille eight points clear at the top of the table. Hazard was named UNFP Player of the Month for the second time in his career for his performances in March. He scored the opening goal in Lille’s 2–0 Coupe de France semi-final victory over Nice on April 19, after coming on as a first-half substitute. The win qualified the club for the 2011 Coupe de France Final, marking the club’s first appearance in the competition’s final since 1955. Hazard scored the game-winning free-kick goal in the team’s 1–0 win over Nancy on May 7. He was nominated for Ligue 1 Player of the Year three days later for the second consecutive season.

Hazard played 89 minutes in the Coupe de France final, as Lille defeated PSG 1–0 at the Stade de France. Lille won the Ligue 1 title a week later, drawing 2–2 against PSG to complete the club’s first league triumph since the 1953–54 season and its first double since the 1945–46 season. Hazard’s first two awards were the domestic cup and league championship. Hazard was named Ligue 1 Player of the Year the day after Lille won the championship, making him the youngest player to ever win the honor. For the second year in a row, he was named to the Team of the Year.

Final season in France, 2011–12.

In 2011, Hazard took a corner kick for Lille.
Hazard switched to the number 10 jersey before of the 2011–12 season.
Hazard scored the team’s second goal in Lille’s first competitive encounter of the season, a 2–0 victory over Marseille in the 2011 Trophée des Champions. Marseille would go on to win the match 5–4 in the end. He scored two goals in a 3–1 away victory over Saint-Étienne on September 10. Hazard made his UEFA Champions League debut four days later, drawing 2–2 with Russian club CSKA Moscow in the group stage.

Following his Champions League debut, he scored a penalty in Lille’s next league match, a 2–2 draw with Sochaux. Hazard scored the equalizer in a 1–1 draw with Bordeaux three days later. Hazard came on as a substitute on 3 December and scored the game-winning goal in a victory over Ajaccio, converting a penalty described as a “Antonn Panenka-style chipped penalty.” Hazard was one of numerous players nominated for UEFA’s Team of the Year award for the 2011 calendar year two days later. Hazard set his career high for league goals in a season after scoring the team’s third goal in Lille’s penultimate match before the winter break, a 4–4 draw with Nice. After the goal was scored, Hazard honored Molami Bokoto, a former Lille junior academy player who had passed away the day before. Hazard scored both goals in a 2–2 tie with Auxerre on March 3.

Hazard scored a goal and assisted on two more in a 4–0 win over Valenciennes on March 18. Hazard converted a penalty and assisted a goal by Dimitri Payet in Lille’s 3–0 victory over Evian.  Hazard scored a first-half penalty and later assisted another Payet goal in a 2–1 victory over Toulouse the following week. Hazard scored a goal and assisted on another in a 4–1 win over Ajaccio on April 15, marking his 100th straight Ligue 1 appearance, which is the longest active streak in the French top division. On April 29, in a crucial league match against PSG, He scored his eighth penalty of the season to tie the game at 1–1, canceling out Javier Pastore’s goal. Hazard later assisted on Lille’s game-winning goal, providing a rabona-style cross into the box to striker Nolan Roux, who finished the goal to give Lille a 2–1 victory.

Hazard was nominated for Player of the Year for the third consecutive season on April 28.  He received the prestigious honor two weeks later, beating out Olivier Giroud and Younès Belhanda. Hazard became the second player in award history to win the accolade in consecutive seasons, following former PSG striker Pauleta.  For the third consecutive season, he was named to the Team of the Year. Hazard made his final appearance for Lille on May 20 against Nancy, the team against which he had made his professional debut. Hazard scored his maiden hat-trick in the 4–1 victory.

Sponsorship

Hazard inked a sponsorship arrangement with Nike, a sportswear and equipment company, in 2012. In November 2012, he appeared alongside Mario Götze, Theo Walcott, Raheem Sterling, Christian Eriksen, and Stephan El Shaarawy in a Nike Green Speed II commercial. [336][337]

Hazard, along with Lionel Messi, is featured on the cover of EA Sports’ FIFA video game FIFA 15 in Belgium, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and France.

[338] The official ambassadors of the game, Hazard, Marco Reus, James Rodrguez, and Anthony Martial, were unveiled as the finalists for the new face of FIFA 17.

[339] Hazard was named the new face of the franchise in 2019, succeeding Cristiano Ronaldo as the cover hero of FIFA 20’s standard edition.

Personal life

Natacha Van Honacker is Hazard’s wife. Yannis, her newborn boy, was born on December 19, 2010, according to reports. In February 2013, she gave birth to their second son, Leo; A third son, Samy, was born in September 2015;[333] and a fourth son was born in October 2019.

He tested positive for COVID-19 on November 7, 2020.

Awards and Honours

Lille

  • Ligue 1: 2010–11[346]
  • Coupe de France: 2010–11

Chelsea

  • Premier League: 2014–15, 2016–17
  • FA Cup: 2017–18; runner-up: 2016–17
  • Football League/EFL Cup: 2014–15;  runner-up: 2018–19
  • UEFA Europa League: 2012–13,  2018–19

Real Madrid

  • La Liga: 2019–20,[ 2021–22
  • Supercopa de España: 2021–22

Belgium

  • FIFA World Cup third place: 2018

Individual

  • Belgian Sportsman of the year: 2018
  • UEFA Europa League Player of the Season: 2018–19
  • UNFP Ligue 1 Player of the Year: 2010–11,[370] 2011–12
  • FWA Footballer of the Year: 2014–15
  • Premier League Player of the Season: 2014–15
  • PFA Players’ Player of the Year 2014–15
  • PFA Fans’ Player of the Year: 2018–19
  • Belgium Player of the Year: 2017, 2018, 2019
  • Best Belgian Footballer abroad: 2017, 2018, 2019
  • Chelsea Player of the Year: 2013–14, 2014–15, 2016–17, 2018–19
  • Chelsea Players’ Player of the Year: 2014–15,  2018–19
  • FIFA World Cup Silver Ball: 2018
  • Bravo Award: 2011
  • RBFA Belgium Ultimate Icon: 1895-2020
  • UNFP Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year: 2008–09, 2009–10
  • France Football Best Foreign Player: 2011
  • PFA Young Player of the Year: 2013–14
  • UNFP Ligue 1 Player of the Month: March 2010, March 2011, March 2012, April 2012
  • Premier League Player of the Month: October 2016, September 2018
  • PFA Fans’ Premier League Player of the Month: October 2016
  • Premier League Playmaker of the Season: 2018–19
  • Premier League Goal of the Month: February 2017, April 2019
  • Chelsea Goal of the Year: 2015–16 (vs. Tottenham Hotspur), 2016–17 (vs. Arsenal),  2018–19 (vs. Liverpool)
  • UNFP Ligue 1 Team of the Year: 200910, 2010–11, 2011–12
  • FIFA FIFPro World11: 2018, 2019
  • PFA Premier League Team of the Year: 2012–13,  2013–14,  2014–15, 2016–17
  • UEFA Team of the Year: 2017,  2018
  • UEFA Europa League Squad of the Season: 2018–19
  • ESM Team of the Year: 2014–15, 2018–19
  • FIFA World Cup Fantasy Team: 2018
  • IFFHS Men’s World Team: 2018
  • IFFHS All Time Belgium XI

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