“Just Wanted to Be Myself”: Chelsea Icon Eden Hazard on Rejecting the Cristiano Ronaldo Lifestyle During His Premier League Years

Eden Hazard reveals former boss urged him to follow Cristiano Ronaldo lifestyle – but he chose happiness over obsession

Eden Hazard has never pretended to be someone he isn’t. In an era where elite footballers are increasingly defined by ultra-professional routines, rigid diets, and perfectly curated lifestyles, the former Chelsea icon always stood slightly apart. Now retired, reflective, and refreshingly honest, Hazard has opened up about why he refused to follow the Cristiano Ronaldo lifestyle during his Premier League years — even when a former manager strongly encouraged him to do so.

Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Hazard lifted the lid on conversations that many suspected had taken place behind the scenes at Chelsea. Managers, impressed by his talent yet frustrated by his relaxed approach, urged him to adopt the relentless discipline that has helped Ronaldo remain at the top for so long. Hazard listened. Then he declined.

“I just wanted to be myself,” Hazard said. And in many ways, that simple sentence sums up his entire career.

Hazard’s refusal of the ‘Ronaldo path’: talent without obsession

From the moment Eden Hazard arrived in the Premier League, it was clear he was different. He didn’t overwhelm opponents with raw power or blistering pace alone. Instead, he glided. He danced past defenders, played with joy, and made football look effortless. That sense of ease extended beyond the pitch as well.

Hazard admitted that his approach to fitness, nutrition, and recovery was often at odds with the modern ideal of a footballing role model. While Cristiano Ronaldo became the global symbol of discipline — strict diets, endless gym sessions, no compromises — Hazard was more comfortable balancing football with life.

The most notable clash of philosophies came during Maurizio Sarri’s time at Chelsea. Sarri coached Hazard in the Belgian’s final and arguably most productive Premier League season, one that ended with Europa League glory and a big-money move to Real Madrid.

Sarri, a known perfectionist, reportedly urged Hazard to take inspiration from Ronaldo’s obsessive professionalism in order to extend his peak years.

“Yes, he told me that,” Hazard recalled. “But I told him I didn’t want to.”

It wasn’t rebellion for the sake of it. Hazard explained that he simply didn’t believe he needed to change who he was to be effective on the pitch.

“I’ve never gone too far,” he said. “But I’ve always wanted to be Hazard on and off the pitch. If my friends invited me to dinner, I wouldn’t say no. If I wanted a drink, I wouldn’t deny myself. Cristiano is Cristiano. I am Hazard.”

In an industry that increasingly demands conformity, Hazard chose individuality — and he has no regrets.

“I just wanted to be myself and play football”

Hazard’s honesty is striking, particularly in hindsight. His move to Real Madrid never lived up to expectations, and critics have often pointed to his lifestyle as a contributing factor to injuries and loss of form. Yet Hazard remains at peace with his choices.

He never chased longevity at all costs. Instead, he chased joy.

“I just wanted to be myself and play football,” he said. “That was always enough for me.”

That mindset made him one of the most entertaining players of his generation, even if it meant his career burned brighter rather than longer.

Mourinho, Sarri and the ‘boring’ training truth

Leicester City v Chelsea – Premier League

Despite his laid-back reputation, Hazard worked under some of the most demanding and intense managers in world football. Jose Mourinho, Antonio Conte, and Maurizio Sarri all left their mark on his Chelsea years — each in very different ways.

Perhaps surprisingly, Hazard named Mourinho as the greatest coach he ever worked with. This is notable given their well-documented tensions during Mourinho’s second spell at Stamford Bridge, when Hazard was publicly criticised for his defensive work and attitude.

Yet time has softened those memories.

“Mourinho is extraordinary,” Hazard said. “An incredible communicator.”

For Hazard, Mourinho’s greatest strength wasn’t tactics alone, but psychology. He knew how to motivate, how to provoke reactions, and how to create a siege mentality within the squad. Even when their relationship was strained, the Belgian clearly respected the Portuguese manager’s ability to get the best out of his players.

Sarri, on the other hand, represented a different challenge. Their relationship was built on footballing ideas rather than emotional intensity.

“Sarri and I had a special relationship,” Hazard explained. “I think his vision of football is very similar to mine.”

However, Hazard couldn’t resist adding a touch of humour.

“Every now and then, I told him his training sessions were boring,” he admitted, laughing.

It wasn’t meant as criticism. Under Sarri, Chelsea finished third, won the Europa League, and Hazard produced one of the finest individual seasons in the club’s history.

Antonio Conte, meanwhile, was described as relentless.

“Antonio was incredible,” Hazard said. “He made us do endless repetitions.”

Conte’s methods were physically demanding and mentally exhausting, but they delivered immediate success. Chelsea stormed to the Premier League title in 2016–17, with Hazard at the heart of everything.

Childhood allegiances and the AC Milan dream

While Hazard is synonymous with Chelsea in England, his footballing heart was shaped elsewhere. In a revelation that may surprise many Premier League fans, Hazard admitted that he grew up supporting AC Milan.

As a child, he was captivated by the Rossoneri teams assembled under Silvio Berlusconi, guided by Adriano Galliani behind the scenes. The style, the stars, the dominance of Serie A in the 1990s — all of it left a lasting impression.

Hazard even recalled a recent conversation with Galliani, who suggested that the Belgian would have been a perfect fit for Milan’s attacking tradition.

“He said I would have been good for Berlusconi’s Milan,” Hazard revealed.

Despite the admiration, a move to Italy never truly materialised.

“To be honest… no,” Hazard said when asked if he was ever close to playing in Serie A. “Moratti paid me a lot of compliments, but I always dreamed of playing in the Premier League and for Real Madrid.”

Those dreams came true.

Chelsea v Sunderland – Premier League

Watching Serie A, admiring Inter, and Belgian pride

Hazard also spoke about his relationship with Italian football today. While he no longer watches Serie A as closely as he once did, his interest remains.

“I used to watch it a lot,” he said. “I didn’t want to miss Mertens or Nainggolan.”

He also expressed curiosity about Kevin De Bruyne’s return from injury and praised Inter Milan’s consistency over the last five years, particularly under Antonio Conte.

“They have proven to be the strongest team in Italy,” Hazard noted.

Life after football: wine, freedom, and no regrets

Since retiring in 2023, Hazard has embraced a very different pace of life. He recently launched his own wine label in Italy — Wine of the Champions — a project that feels perfectly aligned with the lifestyle he always defended.

Football no longer dictates his schedule. Training sessions, diet plans, and recovery protocols are things of the past. And he seems happier for it.

Dreaming of Cesc Fabregas’ Chelsea return

Hazard may be retired, but his connection to Chelsea remains strong. He revealed that he has been in regular contact with former teammate Cesc Fabregas, now building an impressive coaching career with Como in Italy.

“I told him he’s one of the best midfielders in history,” Hazard said. “And that he’s destined to become one of the best coaches too.”

Half-joking, half-serious, Hazard admitted he dreams of seeing Fabregas return to Stamford Bridge one day — this time on the bench.

“I’m a Chelsea fan,” he said. “I want the best for the club. I dream of seeing Cesc as coach, while I’m in the stands, enjoying the show.”

Eden Hazard’s career will always provoke debate. Could he have achieved more by following the Cristiano Ronaldo lifestyle? Possibly. But football isn’t only about numbers, trophies, or longevity. Sometimes, it’s about joy, personality, and staying true to yourself.

Hazard did exactly that. And even now, glass of wine in hand, he wouldn’t change a thing.