Eden Hazard scores and assists in charity match in Calais to roll back the years - just a week following the Belgium and Chelsea icon's retirement after leaving Real Madrid
- 6 months ago
Eden Hazard scored once and laid on three assists in a charity match in Calais - just a week after retiring from professional football.
The former Chelsea star wore the No 10 shirt for Le Varieties Club de France against Team Calais in a star-studded match and looked back to his old self as he caused trouble on the right wing alongside the likes of Robert Pires.
Former Barcelona star Ludovic Giuly also played, as did Didier Deschamps, Claude Puel, Yohan Cabaye - and Kylian Mbappe's dad Wilfried.
The backline featured Mathieu Debuchy, Laurent Blanc, Daniel Van Buyten, and Christian Karembeu while Jens Lehmann was between the sticks.
The match raised roughly £12,900 for a charity helping children and teenagers in a hospital called Pieces Jaunes (Yellow Pieces).
Hazard, who had his Real Madrid contract ripped up a year early, followed up on his decision to retire last week by suggesting he was not enjoying football anymore.
'I always said that I would stop playing as soon as I no longer had fun on the field,' he said, according to L'Avenir, via Fabrizio Romano.
'I didn't want to go play somewhere for the money. I didn't enjoy training... and I didn't play anymore. The decision was simple.'
He wrote on Instagram last week: '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.
'I was able to realize my dream, I have played and had fun on many pitches around the world.
'During my career, I was lucky to meet great managers, coaches, and teammates - thank you to everyone for these great times, I will miss you all.
'I also want to thank the clubs I have played for: LOSC, Chelsea, and Real Madrid; and thank the RBFA for my Belgian Selection.
'A special thank you to my family, my friends, my advisors, and the people who have been close to me in good times and bad.
'Finally, a huge thank you to you, my fans, who have followed me for all these years and for your encouragement everywhere I have played.
'Now is the time to enjoy my loved ones and have new experiences. See you off the field soon my friends.
Hazard won the Premier League twice and the PFA Player of the Year award at Chelsea, and also secured two La Liga titles and the Champions League with Real Madrid.
However, the Belgian winger suffered a colossal 18 separate injuries during his spell in the Spanish capital, ruling him out of 95 games for club and country.
At Chelsea, the Belgian was rarely injured and notched 110 goals and 92 assists in 352 appearances for the Blues.
Despite playing a bit-part role in Madrid, Hazard still managed to claim six titles - having also won the Copa del Rey, Spanish Super Cup, and UEFA Super Cup.
During his time with the Blues, Hazard also won two Europa League titles, one FA Cup and one League Cup.
Individually, Hazard was named the PFA Players' Player of the Year and Premier League Player of the Season during the 2014–15 c
The former Chelsea star wore the No 10 shirt for Le Varieties Club de France against Team Calais in a star-studded match and looked back to his old self as he caused trouble on the right wing alongside the likes of Robert Pires.
Former Barcelona star Ludovic Giuly also played, as did Didier Deschamps, Claude Puel, Yohan Cabaye - and Kylian Mbappe's dad Wilfried.
The backline featured Mathieu Debuchy, Laurent Blanc, Daniel Van Buyten, and Christian Karembeu while Jens Lehmann was between the sticks.
The match raised roughly £12,900 for a charity helping children and teenagers in a hospital called Pieces Jaunes (Yellow Pieces).
Hazard, who had his Real Madrid contract ripped up a year early, followed up on his decision to retire last week by suggesting he was not enjoying football anymore.
'I always said that I would stop playing as soon as I no longer had fun on the field,' he said, according to L'Avenir, via Fabrizio Romano.
'I didn't want to go play somewhere for the money. I didn't enjoy training... and I didn't play anymore. The decision was simple.'
He wrote on Instagram last week: '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.
'I was able to realize my dream, I have played and had fun on many pitches around the world.
'During my career, I was lucky to meet great managers, coaches, and teammates - thank you to everyone for these great times, I will miss you all.
'I also want to thank the clubs I have played for: LOSC, Chelsea, and Real Madrid; and thank the RBFA for my Belgian Selection.
'A special thank you to my family, my friends, my advisors, and the people who have been close to me in good times and bad.
'Finally, a huge thank you to you, my fans, who have followed me for all these years and for your encouragement everywhere I have played.
'Now is the time to enjoy my loved ones and have new experiences. See you off the field soon my friends.
Hazard won the Premier League twice and the PFA Player of the Year award at Chelsea, and also secured two La Liga titles and the Champions League with Real Madrid.
However, the Belgian winger suffered a colossal 18 separate injuries during his spell in the Spanish capital, ruling him out of 95 games for club and country.
At Chelsea, the Belgian was rarely injured and notched 110 goals and 92 assists in 352 appearances for the Blues.
Despite playing a bit-part role in Madrid, Hazard still managed to claim six titles - having also won the Copa del Rey, Spanish Super Cup, and UEFA Super Cup.
During his time with the Blues, Hazard also won two Europa League titles, one FA Cup and one League Cup.
Individually, Hazard was named the PFA Players' Player of the Year and Premier League Player of the Season during the 2014–15 c