Eden Hazard: Lille Names Training Pitch After Former Star Months After Chelsea Legend Retired

• Lille have paid tribute to Eden Hazard by naming their pitch after him
• Hazard started his football career with the French club before he left
• The winger recently called time on his career after exiting Real Madrid

French topflight side, Lille OSC, have renamed their training pitch after Eden Hazard.

The Belgian recently called time on his football career after a successful 16-year journey in the sport that saw him feature across Europe's top tiers.

According to The Guardian, Hazard hung up his boots in October 2023, just months after he was released by Real Madrid following a disastrous spell with them.

At the time, the former Chelsea star announced that he made the decision as he felt it was the right time to exit the stage.

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"After 16 years and more than 700 matches played, I have decided to end my career as a professional footballer. I was able to realise my dream, I have played and had fun on many pitches around the world," he said.

Hazard gets pitch named after him

In honour of Hazard's career and his contributions to Lille, the French club has paid tribute to the former winger by renaming their training pitch after him.

According to ESPN, the Chelsea legend started his career at the Ligue 1 team, initially joining their academy in 2005.

He grew through the ranks, making 194 appearances for them after debuting for the senior team in 2007.

Hazard scored 53 goals for the French outfit and bagged 50 assists, helping them win the Ligue 1 and the Coupe de France in 2011.

He later departed for Chelsea in 2012 in a £32 million deal and went on to make a name for himself at Stamford Bridge.

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Hazard disagrees with Ronaldo’s Ligue 1 ranking

Sports Brief earlier reported that Hazard has disagreed with Cristiano Ronaldo’s comments that the Saudi Pro League is superior to France's Ligue 1.

The former Chelsea forward feels that while the SPL has big players now, they do not have big teams, unlike the converse in the French league.