Eden Hazard had already been a standout player in Lille’s stunning 2010/11 Ligue 1 triumph, the club’s first league title in over 50 years, while his star shone even brighter the following year, finishing as their top scorer with a career-best 22 goals.
Hazard’s final game for Lille
After announcing his departure via a cryptic message on social media, Hazard bagged a hattrick against Nancy to bow out in style.
However, the circumstances leading to his sensational performance in his last game have later been brought to light by Rio Mavuba, Hazard’s former Captain at Lille.
“We were certain to finish third and we were facing Nancy the following day,” former Lille captain Rio Mavuba later revealed. “It was Eden Hazard’s last match with Lille and he wanted to organise a little something.
“We decided to go have a little drink. A little drink that dragged on somewhat. The following morning, Eden was still drunk. That evening against Nancy, not even with 30 minutes played, Eden had already bagged a hat-trick.”
“The guy had not even slept, he drank for the entire night and he put away a hat-trick in 30 minutes. We all looked at each other, we told ourselves that this guy was the real deal.”