On 29 October, The Premier League has officially announced that Chelsea legend Eden Hazard has been inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame.
Former winger is honoured for his brilliance and integral role in two title-winning campaigns with Chelsea
Eden Hazard has been inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame, becoming the 26th recipient of the highest individual honour awarded by the League.
Twice a Premier League champion with Chelsea, the forward was named the League’s Player of the Season in 2014/15 and was also the club’s Player of the Season four times during seven years at Stamford Bridge.
The Hall of Fame recognises and celebrates individuals who have an exceptional record of success and have made a significant contribution to the Premier League since its inception in 1992. Players and managers must be retired from football to be eligible for induction.
Hazard joins Gary Neville as the two former players selected for induction this year by the 24 existing Hall of Fame members. These include Sir Alex Ferguson, Arsene Wenger and all-time greats such as Paul Scholes, Dennis Bergkamp, Vincent Kompany, and Didier Drogba.
The Hall of Fame members were presented with the results of a public poll which invited fans to share their selections from a 15-man shortlist.
Reacting to his Hall of Fame induction, Hazard said: "I grew up playing football for fun, with my brothers in the back garden, but my dream was always to play at the highest level.
"It means a lot to join the Premier League Hall of Fame. I’m very proud to join this group of players and I think we could make a good squad!
"I just wanted to have fun on the pitch and entertain the fans who bought tickets or watched on TV. Being recognised in this way is special for me and my family. My parents were both footballers and now my children love the game too."
Hazard’s former manager Jose Mourinho, who won his third Premier League title with Chelsea in 2014/15, said: "Eden, many congratulations on joining the Premier League Hall of Fame.
"Everybody knows that you belong there. You are one of the most amazing players that I ever worked with and of course you have to be there.
"You are in the Hall of Fame so now you stay in our memories - and by the way thank you so much for helping to win my last Premier League title!"
Hazard's career
Hazard made an immediate impact in the Premier League after signing for Chelsea from Lille in 2012. Hazard made 245 appearances, scoring 85 times and notching 54 assists in the Premier League across seven seasons in West London.
The Belgian playmaker quickly became one of the most electrifying and entertaining players of his generation.
Hazard's dazzling dribbles and a low centre of gravity, coupled with the ability to decide matches single-handedly, quickly established him as a popular figure not only at Stamford Bridge, but across the division.
His first Premier League title win came in 2014/15. The Belgian started every match, registering 14 goals and laying on a further nine assists for his team-mates.
His individual brilliance in that title-winning campaign was acknowledged as he won the Premier League Player of the Season, as well as the PFA Players’ Player of the Year and Football Writers’ Player of the Year, all for 2014/15.
Hazard lifted the Premier League Trophy for a second time in 2016/17, making five assists and finding the net 16 times, including a sensational solo goal against Arsenal, when he collected the ball in his own half and bypassed several defenders.
He was included in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year on four occasions, cementing his legacy before he departed to Real Madrid after seven seasons at Chelsea, during which he also won the FA Cup, League Cup and the UEFA Europa League twice.
Beyond the trophies and statistics, Hazard’s legacy lies in the memorable moments his performances brought to the game. Whether it was gliding past defenders or creating moments of pure inspiration, his play embodies the attacking flair that defines the Premier League at its very best.
Both Hazard and Neville will be formally honoured at the 2025 Premier League Hall of Fame event on Tuesday 4 November.
All inductees receive a medallion engraved with their name and the year of their induction, along with a £10,000 donation made by the Premier League to a charity of their choice.
FrankUtd
58
One Man riot!!! Eden was too good to fail at Real Madrid. He’s a legend of the game. I rooted for him to win the world best at Madrid but nature happened to him.