26 December 2023 , 18:34
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The ballboy who was famously kicked by Eden Hazard is one of the UK's richest people under the age of 35.
Charlie Morgan hit the headlines in January 2013 when Hazard kicked a ball from underneath him during a League Cup match between Chelsea and Swansea. The Belgium international was sent off and apologised to Swansea ballboy Morgan, then 17.
The bizarre episode was recalled by fans after Bernd Leno appeared to shove a ballboy during Fulham's 3-0 loss at Bournemouth on Boxing Day. Marco Silva defended his goalkeeper's remarkable actions by claiming he "touched" - not pushed - the ballboy.
Hazard, who retired earlier this year, went on to enjoy a glittering career after his incident with Morgan, while the latter has also enjoyed himself. The retired ballboy launched a premium vodka brand with a school friend and is now believed to worth £55million.
That's according to The Sunday Times Young Rich List, which was released in May. Morgan was ranked joint-27th on the list, which included some of the most famous people in the country. He was said to be worth more than One Direction's Niall Horan (£54m).
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The richest Brit under the age of 35 was Hugh Grosvenor, also known as the Duke of Westminster, who inherited his title and 300 acres of land across Belgravia and Mayfair at the age of 25. His Grosvenor Group real estate portfolio was recently valued at £9.87billion.
Rory McIlroy was the richest athlete on the list, boasting a wealth of £200m to sit in eighth. Anthony Joshua (13th, £150m), Gareth Bale (22nd, £70m), Raheem Sterling (23rd, £61m) and Harry Kane (32nd, £51m) also made the top 35.
Morgan (left) is now a successful businessman (Instagram/@charliem0rgan)Do you remember Eden Hazard kicking a ballboy? Let us know in the comments below!
Morgan entered the world of business three years after his run in with Hazard by setting up AU Vodka. The drink is popular in the influencer sphere, with the likes of Floyd Mayweather, Ronaldinho, Paddy Pimblett and Jake Paul posing with bottles in the past.
It's been a remarkable journey for Morgan, who is no longer best known for being on the receiving end of Hazard's right boot. The incident happened in the last 15 minutes of the second leg of the League Cup semi-final tie between Swansea and Chelsea.
Swansea boasted a 2-0 lead on aggregate, with Chelsea trying desperately to get back in the game. As the ball went out of play, Morgan lied on top of it. That frustrated Hazard, who reacted by kicking the ball from underneath the child.
Hazard clearly hurt Morgan, who lied on the floor in pain for a few moments. The shocking incident became a huge story, with South Wales Police deciding not to take action against the Chelsea star. Hazard apologised to Morgan immediately after the game.
Bernd Leno appeared to shove a ballboy on Boxing Day (Amazon Prime Video)Hazard told reporters: "The boy put his whole body on to the ball and I was just trying to kick the ball. I think I kicked the ball and not the boy. I apologise."
Morgan was invited into the Chelsea dressing room after the game. Swansea's media manager Jonathan Wilsher said: "He and his father spoke to police and they are not pressing charges. He's been into the Chelsea dressing room and shook hands with Hazard."
As for Leno, Silva has come out in defence of the goalkeeper. He told reporters: "I spoke with Bernd about it. It’s clear he spoke to the boy after the moment. Top professional he is, he wanted to play quick but the ballboys were holding the ball.
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“I don’t know who give them the instructions to hold it. He touched the ballboy, not pushed him - they are different things. I’m not English but I know the difference."