90min

Eden Hazard jokes about his Real Madrid career in hilarious speech

  • Lille named their training ground after Eden Hazard this week
  • The ex-Belgium international attended the opening ceremony
  • Retired star was keen to poke fun at himself during a speech

By Jack Gallagher

Hazard was back at Lille this week
Hazard was back at Lille this week / VIRGINIE LEFOUR/GettyImages
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Belgian football legend Eden Hazard has poked fun at his perceived lack of work ethic during his time at Real Madrid.

Hazard was widely regarded as one of the best footballers in the world prior to his move to Real Madrid in 2019, signing for Los Blancos for up to a whopping €150m following a hugely successful spell at Chelsea.

The wide forward's career at the Santiago Bernabeu didn't go to plan. Throughout his four years at the club, Hazard was kept off the field by consistent fitness problems - playing just 54 La Liga games for the club prior to his contract expiring at the end of the 2022/23 season.

Following the expiration of his Madrid contract, Hazard made the surprise decision to hang up his boots despite being just 32 years old - turning down offers from Saudi Arabia.

Eden Hazard
A young Hazard made his name at Lille / Claudio Villa/GettyImages

While not remembered particularly fondly at his final club, Hazard remains a club legend at his first: LOSC Lille. The former Belgium international was exceptional for the French club, guiding Lille to an unlikely Ligue 1 and Coupe de France double in 2011 by scoring 22 goals.

Lille commemorated Hazard's performances at the club at the weekend by naming their training ground in his honour. He attended a ceremony to mark the occasions, and he was keen to poke fun at the final few years of his career and quips from Madrid fans about a perceived lack of work ethic.

"I only have one thing to say. This is the Eden Hazard pitch. So no gym, no running. Only playing football and breaking ankles," joked Hazard.

Hazard has previously spoke candidly about his poor physical condition while at Madrid, revealing: "I said to myself, 'Now that I'm at Real Madrid, this is perhaps the last vacation I'll be able to take…' And I let go of myself like I let go of myself every summer.

"Seven years in England, without a break at Christmas, giving everything, so when I have three or four weeks of vacation…'Don't bother me'…barbecues, rosé wine…all that. And that's what allowed me to reset myself to start again. Then, Real, it went wrong and that's it."

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