Eden Hazard, former Chelsea and Real Madrid player, shares his latest life update, saying he feels more like a taxi driver than a footballer.
On 17 February 2026, Eden Hazard, former Chelsea and Real Madrid player, spoke to international media including The Guardian about his life after retirement, comparing himself to a taxi driver. He also recounted his antics during his Chelsea days and stated that the 2018 Belgian national team was better than the World Cup-winning France team.
Hazard said, "My life is pretty simple. I'm a father of five children. Now I feel more like a taxi driver than a footballer, but that's okay."
"Life goes by very fast, especially in football. Yesterday I was still 19 years old, and today I'm 35. You have to enjoy it—not just in football, but in everything."
He shared a story from his Chelsea days under Mourinho: "I went back to Lille OSC to watch a game, and on the way back, I lost my passport. I arrived late and missed training. In the next match, he dropped me from the team and said it was my own fault."
Finally, he spoke about playing for the national team during the 2018 World Cup: "We felt Belgium was very strong at that time. Although we didn't win the championship, people still say today that we were better than France, and that makes me proud."
Eden Hazard officially announced his retirement on 10 October 2023 at just 32 years old after his contract with Real Madrid ended. He cited a loss of enjoyment in training and playing, as well as ongoing injury problems, as the main reasons for retiring.