Belgian football star Eden Hazard has enjoyed a career filled with remarkable achievements and undeniable talent, but the latter years of his career have been less of a fairytale.
From his early days at youth level in his native land and his fledgling professional career in France with LOSC Lille to his dominant spell at Chelsea, Hazard has dazzled fans and experts alike.
However, after securing his dream move to Real Madrid in 2019, his time at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium has been blighted by injury and a perceived lack of commitment and motivation which have turned many Madridistas – and sections of the Spanish media – against him.
This, combined with a sense of 'what could have been' in relation to his time with the Belgian national team and the overwhelming sense that Hazard's failure to hold aloft any international silverware as captain of the Red Devils epitomises the wasted talent of the Golden Generation, has sparked debate over how he will be remembered.
Rise to stardom
Whether rumours that his imminent retirement from the game are true, or if reports that he fancies a last hurrah back at Chelsea next season are correct, opinions remain divided.
Hazard's rise to stardom began at Lille, where he exhibited the exceptional skill, vision, and flair which caught Chelsea's eye. In his five years with the Ligue 1 side he became the first non-French player to be named Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year – an award which he won twice. He was also a two-time Ligue 1 Player of the Year, and helped Lille win the French title and the Coupe de France in the same season.
His subsequent move to Chelsea in 2012 marked a defining period in his career. Hazard's time at the London club undeniably saw him reach his peak, winning the Premier League twice, plus the FA Cup and League Cup, and two Europa League titles, while consistently performing at an elite level. His influence on Chelsea's success cannot be understated, as he became a key figure and fan favourite during his time at Stamford Bridge.
“He was Belgium’s star player at that moment,” journalist and Belgian soccer expert Stéphane Lecaillon told The Brussels Times. “De Bruyne was not as big as he is now, so Eden Hazard was the little genius who could change the game at the drop of a hat. People were quite proud to see a Belgian player capable of going to a huge English club and making such an impact there.”
Belgium's captain Eden Hazard celebrates in front of over 8000 supporters at the Grand-Place in Brussels city centre, after Belgian Red Devils won the bronze medal at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, Sunday 15 July 2018. Credit: Belga / Yves Herman
Despite this, when Real Madrid came calling, Hazard could not say no. He arrived in a huge €100 million deal which made him the club's most expensive player ever at the time. It was assumed that he would go on a run of remarkable success with Los Blancos.
However, his playing time in the Spanish capital was curtailed by recurring injuries. Hazard suffered 18 injuries in his time as a Madrid player, totalling 498 days out and missing 77 games.
Belgian legend or unfulfilled potential?
These setbacks, as well as severely limiting his playing time and preventing him from showcasing his full potential, were compounded by the perception of a lack of commitment within the Spanish media, with critics arguing that he did not do enough to regain his fitness. Now he has left the club, with only seven goals from his time there, many in Madrid and beyond will view him as an expensive failure.
Real's Eden Hazard pictured in a game between French club Paris Saint-Germain and Spanish club Real Madrid, 15 February 2022 in Paris. Credit: Belga / Bruno Fahy
"Hazard’s move to Madrid was seen as a risk, but he’d been the king at Chelsea and you don’t get to be that without having something," said Stéphane Lecaillon. "But doubts began to appear when his first pre-season didn’t go well. He had some injuries, there were concerns about his weight. It was clear the kid loved the game, but maybe he didn’t understand what it meant to be at Madrid or sacrifices needed to succeed there. It wasn't possible anymore to arrive overweight in the first week of training, even if it wasn't a real problem in Lille and Chelsea."
In addition to his rollercoaster club career, as part of Belgium's heralded Golden Generation, Hazard was expected to spearhead the team's pursuit of international glory. However, despite possessing a wealth of talent, Belgium fell short in major tournaments, the closest they came to glory being the 2018 World Cup semi-final defeat to eventual champions France.
Hazard's underwhelming performances on the international stage have led to questions regarding his ability to deliver when it mattered most, and whether he fulfilled his potential as a leader and game-changer for his national team.
Belgium's head coach Roberto Martinez and Eden Hazard. Credit: Belga / Virginie Lefour
With the end of his career potentially in sight, it would be fair to say that Hazard is and always will be a legend at Chelsea. His extraordinary skills and achievements during his time at Stamford Bridge cannot be overlooked. His impact on the Premier League and his instrumental role in securing numerous titles for the club confirm his legendary status.
Additionally, his contributions to the Belgian national team, though inconsistent, have had their moments of brilliance, showcasing his undeniable talent and impact on the international stage.
However, criticisms surrounding Hazard's time at Real Madrid and his perceived lack of dedication have tarnished his career. The inability to replicate his Chelsea success, primarily due to injuries, raises doubts about whether he maximised his true potential.
Credit: Belga / Kurt Desplenter
Furthermore, the relative lack of major international success with Belgium, despite boasting a remarkable pool of talent, adds to the notion that Hazard's career may be considered a case of unfulfilled promise.
“For me, Hazard will be remembered as a great player for our national team, who enchanted the supporters during his best years," concluded Stéphane Lecaillon. "The national stadium was full every night when the Red Devils played, thanks mainly to him."
"But obviously, he didn’t win a single trophy with the national team. He was the key personality in the Golden Generation, but he couldn’t turn that into real success, although finishing third at a World Cup should not be dismissed as such for a country of Belgium’s size. There's will also be a feeling that we missed out on the best of Hazard and that we didn’t really get to enjoy him for long enough at his peak.”
As time passes and perspectives evolve, football fans and pundits will continue to assess and debate the true legacy of Eden Hazard, the diminutive wizard who had magic in his boots but cast fewer and fewer spells as time wore on.
