Eden Hazard’s captain at Lille, Rio Mavuba, has revealed that the now Chelsea star was drunk when he netted his famous hat-trick during his last game for the French side in 2012.
Hazard starred in his former side’s 4-1 demolition of Nancy in May 2012, netting a hat-trick in the first half-hour of the game at the Stade Metropole.
According to Mavuba the Belgian had gone out for drinks the night before in the knowledge that it would be his final game for Lille, with a move to Chelsea already arranged for the summer.
The midfielder added that Hazard had not slept a wink prior to the game.
Mavuba told reporters, “We were certain to finish third and we were facing Nancy the following day.
“It was 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 [and] we told ourselves that this guy was the real deal.”
Since joining Chelsea, Hazard has since gone on to win the Premier League with Chelsea and has been crowned the PFA Player of the Year.