Chelsea legend Eden Hazard BOOED during charity match

Robin Bairner

• 12 Sept 2024 11:11 BST
• 3 min read

Eden Hazard might have retired in 2023, but the Chelsea legend returned to the field on Wednesday for a charity football match only for his every touch to be greeted with a whistle.

Hazard, 33, enjoyed a storied career at Chelsea and Real Madrid, notably winning the 2021/22 Champions League with Los Blancos, as well as two Premier League championships, two LaLiga titles and two Europa League crowns.

Amidst all of these trophies, he made one of the most remarkable transfers in the modern era, swapping Stamford Bridge for the Bernabeu in a spectacular €100 million transfer.

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He began his career in Lille, though, and while he was a hero in the northern French town, he became an arch enemy to Lens, where he took part in a charity game in midweek.

Hazard was playing for a Team of Legends against a Lens select, and was welcomed just as he was when he last played for Lille 12 years ago: to a chorus of boos.

Although he was plagued with injuries in the latter stages of his career at Real Madrid, the former Belgium international, who was once tipped to become a Ballon d’Or winner, showed that he still has class in his boots when he takes to the park, notably grabbing one assist and a well-taken goal.

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Hazard was unable to lead his legends team, which included current France head coach Didier Deschamps to a victory in the game, which finished 6-5 in favour of Lens.

Hazard was playing in aid of a charity named ‘Un sourire, un espoir pour la vie’, which supports sick children and supports their families.

Among the footballers who have been patrons of the charity are former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and Eric Cantona.