Nearly three years after he apologized for his unsuccessful Real Madrid career, Eden Hazard is scheduled to return to Chelsea. When Chelsea Legends play Liverpool FC Legends on Saturday, the 34-year-old, who announced his retirement from football in October 2023, will return to the Stamford Bridge surface.
Hazard will meet up with former teammates John Terry, Petr Cech, Diego Costa, Ramires, and John Mikel Obi. All revenues from the game will benefit the Chelsea FC Foundation and the Chelsea Players’ Trust.
Gianfranco Zola, Marcel Desailly, Claude Makelele, and numerous other Blues legends will also make their comeback to West London for the game. Hazard had seven trophy-filled years with the Premier League powerhouse at Chelsea, where he became one of the greatest players of his time.
Hazard’s final Chelsea match was fitting, as he raised the Europa League trophy in 2019 after the Blues defeated Arsenal 4-1 in the championship match. The Spanish powerhouses revealed his £100 million move to Madrid a week later.
Hazard makes major announcement as he sets off for Chelsea return
Hazard played with Real Madrid for four years; however, he only made 76 appearances and scored seven goals. In June 2023, a year before Hazard’s contract was about to expire, Madrid and Hazard mutually decided to end it since both parties were eager to move on.
He apologised to the club’s supporters for his lacklustre performance since joining, but he vowed to prove himself on the pitch during his three years in the Spanish city.
“I have one more year, and I have to show [what I can do], but it isn’t easy,” Hazard acknowledged in an interview with Marca. I’d like to play more, but I’m not playing. I sincerely apologise for what transpired.
Hazard was candid when asked to grade his performance since joining Madrid as the newest Galactico, admitting, “[I’d give myself] zero in terms of playing, because I haven’t played.” But in terms of how I feel right now with the team, I give it a 10. I’m not playing, but as a child, I wanted to play for Real Madrid. I’d like to play for this team.
