Belgian · La Louvière, Belgium · Born 7 January 1991Belgian footballer widely regarded as one of the most skillful wingers and attacking midfielders of his generation, known for exceptional dribbling.
Chelsea paid £32 million for Eden Hazard in 2012 and spent the next seven seasons watching him produce 110 goals and 92 assists in 352 appearances — a return that placed him among the finest attacking players in Premier League history and made his eventual move to Real Madrid one of the most anticipated transfers of the era. He moved to Lille aged 14 and spent five seasons there, being named the best young player in Europe in 2012. Chelsea signed him for £32 million that summer and his seven seasons at Stamford Bridge produced 110 goals in 352 appearances, two Premier League titles (2015, 2017), the FA Cup, two League Cups and the Europa League (2019). He was named PFA Players' Player of the Year in 2015 and FWA Footballer of the Year twice. His low centre of gravity, close control and ability to carry the ball through defenders at pace made him virtually unstoppable in his best seasons. Real Madrid paid £90 million — potentially rising to £130 million — in June 2019 but persistent ankle and thigh injuries over five seasons at the Bernabéu produced only 76 appearances and no major honours. He earned 126 caps for Belgium, scoring 33 goals, and was integral to the golden generation. He retired from international football in 2023. His Chelsea peak remains one of the finest individual runs of form in Premier League history — a player who could single-handedly change games.
Being Chelsea's key player during their Premier League title wins in 2015 and 2017
How They Played
Pacey, skillful winger with exceptional dribbling, creativity and ability to beat defenders
Lasting Impact
One of the most skillful wingers of his generation who dominated the Premier League
Career Honours
- Champions League 2022 (Real Madrid – squad)
- Premier League 2015, 2017 (Chelsea)
- FA Cup 2012
- Europa League 2013, 2019 (Chelsea)
- Ligue 1 2011 (Lille)
- PFA Players' Player of Year 2015
- Champions League 2022
- Premier League 2015
- Premier League 2017
- Europa League 2013
- Europa League 2019
| Club | Period | Fee | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lille II | 2007–2008 | — | 13 | 1 |
| Lille | 2007–2012 | — | 147 | 36 |
| Chelsea | 2012–2019 | £32m | 245 | 85 |
| Real Madrid | 2019–2023 | £90m (rising to £130m) | 54 | 4 |
 Belgium | — | — | 126 | 33 |
Belgian Athletes