Eden Hazard has poked fun at himself when opening a training ground named in his honour, with the Belgian saying: “No gym, only breaking ankles.”

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• Belgian star is now retired
• Honoured by Ligue 1 outfit
• Favours fun over hard work

• Table of Contents

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  The former Chelsea and Real Madrid star is now retired at just 33 years of age, with the decision taken to hang up his boots following a forgettable four-year stint at Santiago Bernabeu. Hazard is now enjoying himself away from the pressure of competitive football and has taken the opportunity to return to where it all began for him at French side Lille.

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• WHAT HAZARD SAID

  They have renamed their training centre after the classy Ligue 1 and Premier League title winner, with Hazard – who was famed for enjoying himself on and off the pitch in his playing days – saying when cutting the ribbon: “I only have one thing to say. This is the Eden Hazard pitch. So no gym, no running. Only playing football and breaking ankles!”

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Hazard recently said of why he could never have trodden the same path as Cristiano Ronaldo – with the Portuguese relentless in his work ethic: “After a match, I wouldn't have spent an hour in a cold bath. Leave me alone, my mates and I go home, play cards and have a beer. I play with my sons in the garden for two hours. That was my recovery. If I'd been like Cristiano – and there are others – I'd have had a burn-out. OK, I was lazy.”

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Hazard made 194 appearances for Lille, scoring 50 goals, before joining Chelsea in 2012. He won two Premier League titles and a couple of Europa League crowns with the Blues, but saw his career fizzle out after heading to Spain in 2019.

Tags: Futebol
Category: News