Eden Hazard’s Simple Goodbye: The Six Words He Sent to Chelsea Teammates
Eden Hazard, a beloved figure at Chelsea Football Club, made a lasting impact during his seven seasons with the Blues. Before embarking on his move to Real Madrid, his farewell to his Chelsea teammates was surprisingly brief, delivered via a short message in their squad WhatsApp group.
Let’s revisit Hazard’s incredible Chelsea career and the details of his understated goodbye:
- A Chelsea Legend: Eden Hazard’s time at Stamford Bridge from 2012 to 2019 saw him become a Premier League icon.
- Trophy-laden Spell: He secured six major trophies with Chelsea, etching his name into club history. These included:
- Two Premier League titles
- Two Europa League titles
- One FA Cup
- One League Cup
- Prolific Goalscorer: Hazard scored an impressive 110 goals in 352 appearances for Chelsea, showcasing his attacking prowess and match-winning ability.
- PFA Player of the Year: His exceptional performances were recognised with the PFA Player of the Year award for the 2014/15 season, solidifying his status among the Premier League’s elite.
- Europa League Glory: Hazard’s final game for Chelsea was the 2019 Europa League final against Arsenal, where he delivered a Man of the Match performance, scoring twice in a dominant 4-1 victory. This triumphant win served as the perfect send-off for the Belgian maestro.
Following the Europa League final victory and amid swirling rumours of a move to Real Madrid, Hazard confirmed his departure. The transfer materialised, with Chelsea and Real Madrid agreeing on a significant £89 million transfer fee.
While a big move like this often comes with emotional farewell speeches, Hazard opted for a more low-key exit from the Chelsea players’ WhatsApp group. According to his former teammate, Emerson Palmieri, Hazard’s message was short and sweet.
In an interview, Emerson Palmieri recounted the moment: “He said goodbye to the boys and such, since then, we don’t know anything else. It’s weird. He sent a ‘thank you, I love you guys’, and then it showed ‘Eden Hazard left the group’. I said ‘damn, he really left.'”
Hazard’s six-word WhatsApp message to his Chelsea teammates was:
“Thank you, I love you guys”
This concise but heartfelt message served as Hazard’s parting words before leaving the group and embarking on his new chapter at Real Madrid. His time at Real Madrid, unfortunately, was marred by injuries and inconsistent form. He played 76 games, scoring just seven goals before his contract was mutually terminated, leading to his retirement at the age of 32. This starkly contrasts with his dazzling Chelsea career.
Eden Hazard vs. Mohamed Salah: Settling the Premier League Debate
For years, comparisons have been drawn between Eden Hazard and Mohamed Salah, another former Chelsea player who went on to achieve incredible success, particularly at Liverpool. Salah has become a Premier League goalscoring machine, currently ranked joint-fifth in the all-time Premier League goalscorers list with over 180 goals to his name.
The debate about who is the better player has often divided fans. However, Eden Hazard himself has weighed in on the discussion, offering a definitive answer.
“Mo Salah, by far,” Hazard stated in a SPORTbible interview, settling the debate with a clear and respectful acknowledgement of Salah’s achievements.
Hazard further elaborated on his early impressions of Salah, recalling their time together at Chelsea and even before: “He was good already, you know, but that good? We played when he was playing in Basel. So we played Champions League the year before and then we were like, ‘Wow’.”
“And then we bought him like, ‘Yeah, we have to. We have to buy this guy because this guy is so good’.” Hazard added, highlighting Chelsea’s awareness of Salah’s talent even in his early career.
“And then, you know, in football you have ups and downs and then what he did with Liverpool is like, ‘Wow’,” Hazard concluded, impressed by Salah’s incredible resurgence and sustained success at Anfield.
In summary, Eden Hazard’s Chelsea legacy is undeniable, marked by trophies and memorable moments. While his departure was swift and his Real Madrid move didn’t pan out as hoped, his impact at Chelsea and his respectful acknowledgement of Mohamed Salah’s current standing cement his place as a true footballing personality.
Want to relive more iconic moments from Chelsea’s history? Explore our articles on legendary Chelsea players and classic Premier League matches now!