Ballboy kicked by Hazard in 2013

Charlie Morgan was 17 when Eden Hazard kicked him during a Chelsea vs Swansea EFL Cup semi-final. The incident went viral and Hazard was sent off.

Morgan didn't know it was Hazard

Morgan thought Juan Mata had kicked him during the game. He only learned it was Hazard after reaching the changing rooms.

“I thought it was Juan Mata who kicked me. I thought all along, I didn't know and then they said it was Hazard.”

Sudden fame changed everything

Morgan went from unknown to famous overnight. His mother received 20 phone calls on the drive home, and paparazzi camped outside his house for weeks.

“For two weeks I was super famous and then super not famous.”

Morgan launches Au Vodka

Two years after the Hazard incident, Morgan and friend Jackson Quinn started Au Vodka. The brand grew steadily from its Swansea base.

Celebrity endorsements boost brand

Au Vodka gained popularity after being promoted by celebrities including Floyd Mayweather and Ronaldinho, expanding its reach globally.

DJ Charlie Slot invests in brand

Nine years ago, British DJ Charlie Slot invested in Au Vodka and used his music industry contacts to further promote the brand.

Business moves to gold offices

Au Vodka's success allowed the company to relocate to glitzy, fully gold-plated offices in Swansea, signaling the brand's rapid growth.

Sazerac acquires Au Vodka

American spirits giant Sazerac purchased Au Vodka for £300 million, marking a major exit for Morgan and Quinn.

Sazerac CEO praises the deal

Sazerac chief executive Jake Wenz said Au's achievements in over a decade were spectacular and rare, with big plans for the brand.

“What Charlie, Jackson, and Charlie have achieved in just over a decade is spectacular and rare.”

Morgan reunites with Hazard

Two years ago, Morgan sat down with Hazard for a chat and even used the ex-Real Madrid player to promote his vodka brand.

Hazard's mother nearly cried

When Hazard discovered he had kicked Morgan, not Mata, his mother was close to tears over the incident.

Morgan reflects on the kick

During their reunion, Morgan told Hazard he had been trying to delay him by throwing the ball over Juan Mata's head when the incident occurred.

“I chucked it over his head and different things and the fans started singing different things about the ballboy.”

Fans sang about the ballboy

The Swansea fans reacted to Morgan's antics by singing about him during the match, adding to the chaotic atmosphere.

Hazard sent off for the kick

The referee showed Hazard a red card for kicking Morgan, ending the Chelsea star's involvement in the match.

From viral to forgotten fast

Morgan's initial fame lasted only two weeks before the media attention disappeared completely, leaving him back to normal life.

Morgan set for life now

At age 30, Morgan is now financially secure for life after selling his vodka business, turning childhood infamy into lasting success.

From kicked to kingpin

Morgan's journey from being kicked by a Chelsea legend to building a £300 million vodka empire shows how one viral moment can change everything.