Eden Hazard

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Hazard began his senior career with Lille in 2007 at age 16, becoming integral under manager Rudi Garcia. In his first full season, he became the first non-French player to win Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year, and the following season the first to win it twice. In 2010–11, he won the league and cup double and was named Ligue 1 Player of the Year, the youngest ever. After 194 appearances and 50 goals for Lille, he joined Chelsea in June 2012. He won the UEFA Europa League in his first season and the PFA Young Player of the Year in his second. In 2014–15, he helped Chelsea win the League Cup and Premier League, earning the FWA Footballer of the Year and PFA Players' Player of the Year. Two years later he won a second Premier League title. In 2018, he won the FA Cup and was named in the FIFA FIFPRO Men's World 11. He won the Europa League again in 2019, scoring twice in the final. He joined Real Madrid in summer 2019 for up to €150 million, one of the highest fees ever. Injuries, subpar performances, and lack of fitness limited his games; he left in June 2023 and retired four months later.

In Their Own Story

At the 2018 World Cup, Hazard captained Belgium to third place — their best finish ever — and received the Silver Ball as the tournament's second-best player. From 2015 to 2022, he served as captain, including when Belgium topped the FIFA men's ranking for the first time, the longest continuous reign of any European team. He made his senior debut for Belgium in November 2008 at age 17, earning over 126 caps. He reached the quarter-finals of the 2014 World Cup, Euro 2016, and Euro 2020. Growing up, his idol was Zinedine Zidane, whom he watched for hours on television and online.

Reader's Guide

In Football Manager, Hazard is best used as a left winger or attacking midfielder, leveraging his dribbling, creativity, and vision. His peak comes in the mid-to-late 2010s versions, where his flair and technical attributes make him a game-changer. Managers should build attacks around his ability to beat defenders and create chances. His career arc in the game mirrors reality: a wonderkid at Lille, a superstar at Chelsea, and a diminished force at Real Madrid due to injuries. Later versions reflect his physical decline, requiring careful fitness management. Key moments include scoring twice in the 2019 Europa League final and captaining Belgium to World Cup bronze in 2018.

Did You Know?

• Hazard was the first non-French player to win the Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year award, and later the first to win it twice.
• He scored twice in the 2019 Europa League final for Chelsea.
• At the 2018 World Cup, he captained Belgium to third place and won the Silver Ball as the second-best player.
• His transfer to Real Madrid in 2019 was worth up to €150 million, one of the highest fees ever.
• He made his senior debut for Belgium in November 2008 at age 17.