Eden Hazard has vowed to keep himself in shape as he doesn’t want to ‘look like Peppa Pig’ when he returns to the pitch as part of Soccer Aid.
The Chelsea legend will be making his long-awaited return to Stamford Bridge on June 9, where he will play alongside the likes of Roberto Carlos, Usain Bolt and Tommy Fury, in a team managed by current Blues boss Mauricio Pochettino.
Hazard retired from football back in October, insisting it was ‘time to enjoy life by drinking a few beers’.
The 33-year-old though has vowed to keep away from too many beers and burgers, so that he can impress when he features at Soccer Aid in under three months time.
Eden Hazard will return to Stamford Bridge on June 9 as part of Soccer Aid on the World XI
He has joked that he doesn’t want to look like cartoon character Peppa Pig and has vowed to stay active to keep himself in shape so he can impress when he returns to on-field action
Hazard struggled with weight issues during his time at Real Madrid, before retiring last year
‘I don’t want to look like Peppa Pig,’ he joked while speaking to the Standard. ‘I play tennis, padel, run a bit, I play football with my friends and stay active.’
Regarding his retirement, he added: ‘I enjoy it a lot. I miss my football a bit, especially being with the lads in the dressing room, but I can do what I want now. I have kids and a family. I can go to Belgium to see my family, brothers and parents. I can do a lot of things.’
Hazard was one of the Premier League’s best players during his seven-year spell at Stamford Bridge.
However, his ‘dream’ £88.5m move to Real Madrid, proved to be a nightmare as he suffered with injuries and form, while also battling weight issues.
He often turned up overweight for the Spanish giants, and in an interview with French publication L’Equipe, he admitted to ‘letting go’ of himself every summer.
He said: ‘Seven years in England, without a break at Christmas, giving everything, so when I have three or four weeks of vacation, ‘don’t bother me,’ barbecues, rosé wine… all that.
‘And that’s what allowed me to reset myself to start again. Then, Real, it went wrong and that’s it.’
He also admitted that sometimes he would be so lazy in training that he didn’t want to receive the ball.
Hazard (right) said he was going to ‘enjoy life by drinking a few beers’ when announcing his retirement, with the Belgian playmaker also a self-confessed fan of food including burgers
Hazard was one of the Premier League’s best players during his seven-year spell at Chelsea
Despite his time at Real Madrid not working out as planned, he told the Standard that it makes him ‘proud’ that he lived out his dream at the Santiago Bernabeu.
At Soccer Aid, Hazard will be part of a World XI to play an England XI led by former Chelsea team-mate Frank Lampard.
Speaking ahead of the game, he said: ‘My Chelsea family – I am coming home on Sunday 9th June! I can’t wait to see you all again. Playing at Stamford Bridge was always amazing.
‘We won so many trophies together there. Some of the very best memories I have in football – seven brilliant years. I miss them.
‘As I enter a new chapter, we can write new history with Soccer Aid for UNICEF. Together, we can and will raise millions of pounds for children across the world’.
Soccer Aid for UNICEF takes place on Sunday 9th June at Stamford Bridge. Tickets are on sale now at socceraid.org.uk/tickets
