Eden Hazard Reflects on Career and Life After Football

omidbasir- Eden Hazard, inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame last year, joined Chelsea after José Mourinho’s initial tenure in London. Hazard played under Mourinho from 2013 to 2015, during which time the Portuguese manager returned to Chelsea, leading the club to a third Premier League title in the 2014-15 season.

The former Lille player was instrumental in that title victory, netting 14 goals and providing nine assists, helping Chelsea finish eight points ahead of Manchester City. However, Mourinho was dismissed in December 2015 as the team struggled to maintain their title defense.

Hazard, now 35, is among numerous players with memorable stories regarding Mourinho, often highlighting their contrasting temperaments. He recounted a particularly challenging incident: “I don’t have just one, I have many. I remember once, during Mourinho’s first year, I went to Lille to watch a game and lost my passport on the way back.”

He continued, “I wasn’t allowed back into England and missed training. I returned around 2 PM, and when the session was over, I had to apologize to him. It was a really bad moment for me.” Despite the gravity of the situation, Hazard noted that Mourinho soon reinstated him in the team after a week.

The mutual respect between Hazard and Mourinho endures. Reflecting on what he learned from the manager, Hazard stated, “So many things. His passion for football, the way he trusts players… the way we trained with him was unbelievable.”

When discussing the differences between the Premier League and La Liga, Hazard remarked, “They have different styles of play. The Premier League is more physical; you never stop running. La Liga is more technical. At Madrid, you can manage the game, but in the Premier League, there is no chance: you have to go full speed for 90 minutes.”

Hazard transferred to Real Madrid in 2019, but injuries limited his playing time, leading to his departure from the club in summer 2023. In October 2023, he announced his retirement from professional football, stating, “You must listen to yourself and say stop at the right time. After 16 years and more than 700 matches played, I have decided to end my career as a professional footballer.”

He expressed gratitude to the clubs he represented—LOSC, Chelsea, and Real Madrid—as well as the Belgian national team. He also thanked his family, friends, advisors, and fans for their support throughout his career, emphasizing the importance of cherishing loved ones in this new chapter.

Hazard acknowledged the challenges of adapting to life after retirement, stating that his family has been instrumental in this transition. “Your family is what helps you,” he explained. “My life is simple: I stay home and enjoy the simple things with my wife, kids, and brothers. When you play, you travel constantly, but when you stop, you finally have time for them without the stress.”

Now a father of five, Hazard humorously noted, “In this moment, I’m more of a taxi driver than a football player, but it’s OK.”