Legends
Happy Birthday Eden Hazard!
Humble beginnings
One of four children (including fellow footballers Kylian and Thorgan), Hazard grew up close to Lille just over the border, and began his youth career at amateur side Tubize. As a youngster, he idolisez Zinedine Zidane, and has spoken several times of his admiration for the legendary Frenchman since in interviews, reflecting that for him, “As a player there's no comparison, I have so much respect for Zidane, he's my idol. It's thanks to him I started playing.”
Also a playmaker in the mold of his hero, Hazard joined Lille at the age of just 14, accepting an offer from academy head Jean-Michel Vandamme, who was quick to underscore the opportunities on offer in France. His progression was quick, and he had won a place in the reserves within a year, and even played sparingly for the first team, then under the direction of Claude Puel.
⏪ Eden Hazard magic in 2009 🪄 @LOSC_EN || #UEL pic.twitter.com/4Cq6L7THkr
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) October 10, 2023
A breakout season and further success
His real ascent began in 2008/9, though, with Les Dogues now under the management of Rudi Garcia. Announcing himself with a late equalizer off the bench against Auxerre, he would finish the season with 30 Ligue 1 appearances as Lille finished fifth, good enough for a European spot, but Hazard would take home the UNFP trophy for Young Player of the Year. The following campaign was more of the same -- he again won that individual honor, but also a place in the Ligue 1 team of the year, finishing with ten goals as the team reached the Round of 16 in the Europa League.
2010/11 was his crowning achievement, though, as he powered his side to a historic double, being named the league's player of the season as well. In 2011/12, he took on a bigger role in attack, and scored a fantastic 20 goals, once again being named Ligue 1 Player of the season as the team finished third to secure a return to the UEFA Champions League. It was to be his swansong, but even in less than 150 Ligue 1 appearances with Lille, he had written his name as a true legend of the club, and perhaps the most transcendent talent to have come age in the league between Karim Benzema and Kylian Mbappé -- Happy Birthday, Eden!
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