Eden Hazard Biography: Net Worth, Age, Career, Records, Family, Achievements!
Eden Hazard is considered one of the best football players of his generation. The talented Belgian attacker has mesmerized fans with his darting runs, clever passing, and exceptional dribbling skills.
This article will explore Hazard’s upbringing, early football career, move to Chelsea, success with club and country, and much more.
Early Life and Career
Eden Hazard was born on January 7, 1991 in La Louvière, Belgium to parents Carine and Thierry Hazard. He grew up with three younger brothers, all of whom would go on to become football players as well.
Eden joined local club Royal Stade Brainois at age 4 and later moved to Tubize. By age 14, he was signed by top-flight club Lille Metropole’s youth academy. After shining as an academy player, Hazard made his professional debut in 2007 at just 16 years old.
Table: Eden Hazard’s Early Football Career Timeline
| Age | Year | Club | Accomplishment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 years old | 1995 | Royal Stade Brainois | Began playing organized football |
| 10 years old | 2001 | Tubize | Joined youth side |
| 14 years old | 2005 | Lille Metropole | Signed with club’s youth academy |
| 16 years old | 2007 | Lille Metropole | Made professional debut |
The talented playmaker soon established himself as an indispensable part of Lille’s senior squad. During his time with Les Dogues, Hazard won the Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year award twice as well as the 2011 league title. His fearless, creative performances caught the eye of Europe’s biggest clubs.
Move to Chelsea
In June 2012, Eden Hazard finalized a £32 million transfer to English club Chelsea FC. Upon arriving in London, the Belgian wonderkid was handed the coveted number 10 shirt previously worn by club legends such as Joe Cole and Juan Mata.
Hazard enjoyed an excellent debut campaign at his new club. He scored 13 goals across all competitions and racked up 18 assists as Chelsea finished 3rd in the league and won the Europa League title. For his promising first season, Eden was named Chelsea’s Player of the Year.
The following year saw the dynamic attacker win the PFA Young Player of the Year and FWA Footballer of the Year awards alongside teammate Luis Suárez and establish himself as a crucial part of Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea side. In 2014-15, Hazard helped the Blues return to championship glory by winning the Premier League and League Cup.
Success with Belgium at International Level
In addition to thriving at the club level with Chelsea, Eden Hazard has also starred for the Belgian national team. He made his senior international debut at age 17 in 2008.
Since becoming a Red Devil, the gifted midfielder has earned over 100 caps. He captained Belgium to a historic third-place finish at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. This marked their best ever performance at football’s biggest international tournament.
Table: Eden Hazard’s Belgium National Team Achievements
| Tournament | Year | Finish/Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 FIFA World Cup | 2014 | Quarterfinals |
| UEFA Euro 2016 | 2016 | Quarterfinals |
| 2018 FIFA World Cup | 2018 | 3rd Place (Bronze Medal) |
Hazard’s attacking flair, precise passing, and scoring prowess proved instrumental in leading Belgium’s golden generation of players to new heights. Their semifinal run in 2018 demonstrated that the tiny nation could compete with traditional European heavyweights in major tournaments.
Return to Chelsea and Subsequent Real Madrid Move
The 2018-19 season proved to be Eden Hazard’s last with Chelsea. He scored 21 goals across all competitions and led the club to Europa League glory in his farewell match. In total, the gifted Belgian made 352 appearances for the Blues, netting 110 times.
That summer, Real Madrid secured Hazard’s services for an initial €100 million, making him their most expensive signing ever at the time. However, injuries have hampered the winger’s time with Los Blancos thus far. When fit, he has shown flashes of brilliance and looks to recapture his best form.
Net Worth and Endorsements
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Eden Hazard has a net worth of approximately $100 million as of 2022. The majority of his wealth stems from his Real Madrid salary and endorsement deals.
As one of football’s most marketable stars, Hazard has lucrative sponsorship deals with major companies like Nike, Topps Trading Cards, and EA Sports. He features prominently in advertising campaigns and the FIFA video game series.
Family and Personal Life
Eden Hazard comes from an athletic family. His parents both played football at lower tiers while three of his younger brothers are also professional players.
Thorgan Hazard plays for German club Borussia Dortmund and has also represented Belgium. Younger siblings Kylian and Ethan both came up through the Chelsea academy system alongside Eden and now play in Belgium’s top division.
In 2012, Eden married his childhood sweetheart Natacha Van Honacker. The couple have three sons together – Yannis, Leo, and Samy. They tend to keep a low profile and guard their privacy outside of football.
When not competing, Hazard enjoys activities like playing cards, chess, and video games in his free time. He has cited NBA legend Michael Jordan as his biggest idol and inspiration.
Charity Work and Public Image
The Belgian footballer is appreciated for his cheerful persona and humility both on and off the pitch, a rarity among stars of his magnitude. Hazard contributes his time and money to various charitable causes as well.
He became a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Belgium in 2016. This platform has allowed him to help vulnerable youth around the world by supporting health, education, protection, and emergency relief programs.
Conclusion
Eden Hazard’s jaw-dropping technique, creative vision, and big match pedigree place him amongst football’s elite. Still only 31 years of age, the Belgian superstar likely has more magic to unveil for both club and country.
After battling through three injury-ravaged campaigns with Real Madrid, Hazard will be determined to justify his massive transfer fee and recapture the form that made him one of the sport’s most entertaining talents during his Chelsea peak. Expect more fireworks as his glorious career continues.
Frequently Asked Questions About Eden Hazard
What is Eden Hazard’s current age and when was he born?
Eden Hazard is 31 years old. He was born on January 7, 1991 in La Louvière, Belgium.
Which club does Eden Hazard currently play for?
Hazard is currently contracted to Spanish giants Real Madrid. He joined them from Chelsea in 2019 for an initial €100 million transfer fee.
How many caps and goals does Eden Hazard have for Belgium?
As of January 2023, Eden Hazard has earned 126 caps for the Belgian national team, scoring 33 goals. He made his senior debut in 2008 at age 17.
What individual and team honors has Hazard won in his career?
Individual: 2x Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year, 2015 PFA Young Player of the Year, 2015 FWA Footballer of the Year, 4x Chelsea Player of the Year
Team: 1x French Ligue 1, 2x UEFA Europa League, 2x English Premier League, 1x English League Cup, 2018 FIFA World Cup Bronze Medal
Is Eden Hazard married and does he have any children?
Yes, Hazard has been married to his wife Natacha since 2012. Together they have three sons named Yannis, Leo, and Samy, born in 2013, 2016, and 2018 respectively.
What charity work is Eden Hazard involved in?
In 2016, Hazard became a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in his native Belgium. He supports their initiatives related to providing aid and protecting vulnerable children globally.
What is Eden Hazard’s estimated net worth?
According to multiple reports, Eden Hazard has a net worth of approximately $100 million as of 2022. The bulk of his wealth comes from playing contracts and endorsement deals with brands like Nike and EA Sports.
