Eden Hazard
A magician with the ball at his feet, his dazzling dribbles and joyful play made him the creative heartbeat of Chelsea's greatest modern teams.
Born 1991 (age 35)·Belgian footballer·Birthday: January 7·Millennials
Biography
Eden Hazard's football was pure, unadulterated joy. Emerging from Lille in France, where he was named Ligue 1 Player of the Year, his move to Chelsea in 2012 signaled the arrival of a new kind of superstar. He wasn't a relentless goal-machine; he was an artist. With a low center of gravity, explosive acceleration, and a preternatural ability to glide past defenders as if they were training cones, Hazard became the Premier League's most watchable talent. At Chelsea, he was the catalyst for two league titles, often delivering in the biggest moments with goals that were as technically brilliant as they were crucial. His 2019 transfer to Real Madrid was a coronation, but persistent injuries hampered his time in Spain, leading to an early retirement. For a glorious seven-year stretch in London, however, he played the game with a smile, combining devastating effectiveness with captivating entertainment.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Eden was born in 1991, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Eden Was Born
The biggest hits of 1991
#1 Movie
Terminator 2: Judgment Day
Best Picture
The Silence of the Lambs
#1 TV Show
Cheers
Eden's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1991Born
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
1996Started school
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
2004Became a teenager
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2007Could drive
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2009Could vote
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2012Turned 21
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2021Turned 30
January 6 Capitol breach; COVID vaccines roll out globally
Gas: $3.01/galHome: $298,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Levitating" — Dua LipaBest Picture: CODA
2026Age 35 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the PFA Players' Player of the Year award for the 2014-15 Premier League season.
- Was instrumental in Chelsea F.C. winning two Premier League titles (2015, 2017) and two UEFA Europa League trophies (2013, 2019).
- Named the Chelsea Player of the Year a club-record four times during his tenure.
Did You Know?
All three of his younger brothers—Kylian, Thorgan, and Ethan—are also professional footballers.
He was a childhood fan of French playmaker Zinedine Zidane, whom he later played for at Real Madrid.
He announced his retirement from professional football via a simple post on his Instagram account in October 2023.
“When I'm on the pitch, I just try to be me and enjoy my game. When I don't enjoy it, I don't play well.”
