- Eden Hazard announced his retirement from football late last year at the of 32
- The Belgian is set to return to Stamford Bridge this summer and will play a match five years after his departure
- He will be involved in this year’s annual Soccer Aid match between England Team and the Rest of the World Team
If you’re a football fan then you probably remember a few Eden Hazard memorable moments for Chelsea. The Belgian is now retired but fans will never forget his Chelsea days when he was one of the best players on the planet. Whether he was on the wing or midfield, he was a menace to any team Chelsea played against.
However, things never worked out for him following his big move to Real Madrid in the summer of 2019 and he shockingly announced his retirement from football late last year at the of 32. But the Blues legend is set to return to Stamford Bridge this summer and will actually play a match five years after his departure.
Eden Hazard. Photo/ Sky Sports.
Hazard will be involved in this year’s annual Soccer Aid match between England Team and the Rest of the World Team. As the football world waits to see him in action again at Stamford Bridge, here are four Eden Hazard memorable moments for Chelsea:
1. Performance On His Debut
Eden Hazard joined Chelsea in June 2012 from French club Lille. Upon signing with the Blues, he told the club’s website “I’m delighted to finally arrive here. It’s a wonderful club and I can’t wait to get started.”
Well, the Belgian did mean what he said and actually showed the world what to expect from him on his Chelsea debut by playing a massive role in the 2-0 victory over Wigan Athletic. He set up Branislav Ivanovic for the opener and then won a penalty which was converted by Frank Lampard.
Hazard would later name this match as one of his top three moments in a Chelsea shirt.
2. Title-Winning Goal Against Crystal Palace
Eden Hazard had a remarkable 2014-15 season, winning the PFA Player of the Year award for the first time in his career. That season, he recorded 14 goals and 10 assists but the one that Chelsea fans will remember for the longest time was against Crystal Palace. It was the goal that confirmed the Blues as champions of England’s top flight league, winning their first trophy in five years.
3. Solo Goal Vs Arsenal
Eden Hazard goal vs Arsenal. Photo/ Goal.com.
One of Eden Hazard memorable moments for Chelsea was his outstanding solo goal vs Arsenal in the English Premier League during the 2016-17 season. Hazard collected the ball on the halfway line and then raced towards Arsenal goal, beating all the Gunners players that came his way before beating goalkeeper Petr Cech.
Laurent Koscielny was left with twisted blood but the highlight of this breathtaking moment was Francis Coquelin bouncing to the turf after trying to challenge the Belgian. The goal helped Chelsea win the match 3-1 and proved crucial at the end of the campaign as Chelsea won the league title.
4. Controversial Ball Boy Incident
This incident happened eleven years ago but it’s still remembered by many fans, making it one of Eden Hazard memorable moments for Chelsea.
In January 2013, Hazard kicked Charlie Morgan, a ball boy, during the English League Cup semi-final match between Chelsea and Swansea City. The Wales side were leading 2-0 when Hazard tried to retrieve the ball from the ball boy who had held it and refused to let it go with just 10 minutes on the clock. Hazard was heavily criticized by the football world for being aggressive.
Fast forward to 2024, Hazard and Morgan, who is now a successful businessman, re-united and posed for a photo to promote the ex-ball boy’s vodka company.
5. Screamer Against Sparta Prague
Eden Hazard scored a last-gasp winner against Sparta Prague to send Chelsea to Europa League round of 16. Photo/ Eurosport.
Chelsea’s hopes of defending their UEFA Champions League title had collapsed in the group stages, which cost manager Roberto Di Matteo his job. The Blues were relegated to the Europa League where their struggles were also evident as they only beat Sparta Prague 1-0 in the first leg of their round of 32 tie in the Czech capital.
Despite having home advantage in the second leg, Chelsea allowed Sparta Prague to find the equalizer, levelling the score on aggregate. Their European campaign was hanging on the balance when Hazard produced a moment of magic by scoring one of the best goals of the season. The Belgian international jinked past a defender before beating the keeper with a thunderous strike that hit the roof of the net.
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