Eden Hazard Makes Honest Admission After Real Madrid Struggles and Stamford Bridge Return
Chelsea legend Eden Hazard made an emotional return to Stamford Bridge on Saturday as he pulled on the blue shirt once again for the Chelsea Legends in their charity match against Liverpool Legends.
The Belgian, who retired from professional football in 2023, joined a host of former stars including John Terry, Diego Costa, Petr Čech, and Claude Makélélé for the special fixture in aid of the Chelsea Foundation and Chelsea Players’ Trust.
Chelsea legend Eden Hazard is here.
— ChelsTransfer (@ChelsTransfer) October 11, 2025
(🎥 via @ChelseaFC) pic.twitter.com/3OiMB1tpY5
Although the Blues were narrowly beaten 1–0 courtesy of Ryan Babel’s second-half strike, the sight of Hazard dazzling fans once again brought back fond memories of his seven spectacular seasons in west London.
Hazard Admits He Misses the Game
During the half-time interval, Hazard was interviewed pitchside and made a heartfelt admission about his retirement from the game.
“I miss playing football,” he said. “I miss playing football in the big stadiums like today.
But I play in the garden with my kids. I have five boys — they are all Chelsea fans.”
The 34-year-old’s comments resonated with supporters, many of whom sang his name throughout the match. His return offered a rare glimpse of the player who defined an era at Stamford Bridge with his skill, creativity, and moments of magic.
A Career to Remember
Hazard joined Chelsea from Lille in 2012 and went on to make 352 appearances, scoring 110 goals and providing 88 assists.
During his time in London, he helped the Blues win two Premier League titles, two Europa Leagues, one FA Cup, and one League Cup, cementing his legacy as one of the most gifted players ever to wear the Chelsea shirt.
His final appearance came in the 2019 Europa League final, where he scored twice in the 4–1 win over Arsenal before sealing a £100 million move to Real Madrid.
Injuries Hampered His Madrid Dream
Hazard’s dream move to Spain never materialised as hoped. Persistent injuries and fitness issues restricted him to just 76 appearances in four years at the Bernabéu.
After his departure from Madrid in 2023, Hazard remained without a club for several months before officially announcing his retirement in October that year.
Despite his struggles in Spain, his legacy in west London remains untarnished — a magician who lifted fans off their seats and delivered when it mattered most.
Hazard’s Influence Still Felt
Hazard’s impact continues to inspire the next generation of players. Recent Chelsea signing Alejandro Garnacho even revealed that the Belgian was one of his biggest idols growing up.
“I loved Eden Hazard,” Garnacho told the club’s website. “He was one of my idols and a big reason why I supported Chelsea when I was younger.
He was such an incredible player — coming inside, scoring goals, creating magic — he was crazy good.”
Eden Hazard’s return to Stamford Bridge served as a reminder of what made him so beloved by the Chelsea faithful — a player of rare joy, artistry, and charisma whose bond with the club endures long after his final match.
