Eden Hazard: When John Obi Mikel Branded Former Chelsea Teammate As ‘Laziest Soccer Player’

• Eden Hazard was branded as the ‘laziest soccer player’ by his former Chelsea teammate Mikel Obi
• Hazard was without a club since leaving Real Madrid this summer and has decided to call it quits
• Mikel once stated the Belgian does not need to train before producing match-winning performances

Former Nigerian international, Mikel Obi, who spent 11 seasons with Chelsea in the Premier League, once branded Eden Hazard as the ‘laziest soccer player’ he has ever seen.

The Belgian was at the Stamford Bridge side for seven seasons and played alongside the former Super Eagles captain in the midfield.

Hazard won Premier League titles, one FA Cup, one EFL Cup, and two UEFA Europa League titles with the London club before making a mega-money move to Real Madrid in 2019.

Hazard practically flopped at Real Madrid, failing to make the matchday squad as his stint with the Spanish club was marred by injuries and fitness-related issues.

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He managed just four league goals for Los Blancos in four years.

Mikel comments on Hazard being 'the laziest'

Hazard's former teammate at the Blues, Mikel once stated that the playmaker likes his food, per AS Dario:

"The night before a game, he would sit for 20 minutes or half an hour eating rice pudding after dinner. He likes his food."

However, the Nigerian legend stated the Belgian had plenty of ability and believed his former teammate could have been an even better player if he had put more effort into training to improve his game.

He told Dubai Eye 103.8, as per Mirror:

"I've always said that Hazard is one of the most gifted players. He had it all: power, skill, technique. He was right behind [Lionel] Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, but only if he wanted it.

“He sometimes said ‘yes, I want to be so good, I can be. Not as good as Messi because he’s from another planet, but I think I can be close to Cristiano and even better’."

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However, Mikel said Hazard was not as dedicated and did not train well.

"Oh, he never trained! He was the laziest footballer I've ever seen in my life! But come the weekend, he produced. He was the Man of the Match."

Eden Hazard announces retirement

Sports Brief also reported on Hazard officially ending his football career, retiring at the young age of 32 following a challenging four-year spell in Spain.

The former Chelsea and Lille star, who was clubless since leaving Madrid in the summer, made the announcement about his retirement on Instagram.

Hazard also expressed his gratitude to the clubs he played for and the managers who played a pivotal role in helping him achieve his footballing dream.