Eden Hazard Opens Up on Real Madrid Injury Woes and Chelsea Return

Eden Hazard’s Emotional Return to Stamford Bridge: Reliving Glory with Chelsea Legends

Eden Hazard made a heartfelt return to Stamford Bridge, rekindling memories as he participated in a matchup between Chelsea Legends and Liverpool Legends. The Belgian football icon, who retired two years ago, expressed that he still deeply misses the thrill of playing professional football.

Highlights from Hazard’s Chelsea Career

Throughout his illustrious career at Chelsea, Hazard left an indelible mark. Between 2012 and 2019, he made 352 appearances, scored 110 goals, and provided 88 assists. His remarkable contributions helped secure two Premier League titles, two Europa League trophies, an FA Cup, and a League Cup for the Blues.

Supporting the Chelsea FC Foundation

The legends match was organized to support the Chelsea FC Foundation and the Chelsea Players’ Trust. The encounter, although a nostalgic return for Hazard, ended in a narrow 1-0 loss, with Ryan Babel’s 78th-minute goal sealing Liverpool’s victory. Despite the defeat, Hazard managed to display flashes of his past brilliance, testing the Liverpool defense.

Memorable Moments and Former Teammates

During the match, Hazard was reunited with notable Chelsea greats, including John Terry, Diego Costa, and Claude Makelele. Costa, as is typical of the fiery striker, got involved in a heated exchange with Martin Skrtel, showcasing the competitive edge in the supposedly friendly encounter.

Hazard Reflects on Retirement

In a candid half-time interview, Hazard revealed, “I miss playing football in the big stadiums like today. But I play in the garden with my kids. I have five boys, they are all Chelsea fans.”

Hazard’s last appearance as a Chelsea player was momentous. The 2019 Europa League final saw him score twice in a 4-1 triumph over Arsenal, after which he moved to Real Madrid for £100 million.

Struggles at Real Madrid and Retirement

Injuries plagued Hazard’s time at Real Madrid, limiting him to just 76 appearances in four years. In October 2023, the now 34-year-old confirmed his retirement, remaining a beloved figure for Chelsea fans and influencing new players like Alejandro Garnacho.

Garnacho shared his admiration for Hazard on Emegypt, stating, “I loved Eden Hazard. Eden was one of my idols and a big reason why I watched and supported Chelsea a bit when I was younger. He was such an incredible player, playing in the same position that I wanted to, coming inside, scoring goals – he was crazy good.”