Remember the kid that Hazard punched at the game?

Charlie Morgan, once a teenage ball boy for Swansea City during a 2013 FA Cup match, has become a key figure in a high-stakes business deal that could value his vodka brand Au Vodka at over half a billion euros. The former ball boy, who was struck by Chelsea’s Eden Hazard during the game, is now at the center of negotiations with American spirits company Sazerac, which is reportedly close to finalizing a purchase agreement worth up to £500 million, approximately €585 million. The deal, which has been under discussion for several months, would see Morgan and his business partner Jackson Quinn each receive more than £117 million, according to Sky News. The exact terms remain under negotiation, though both parties have expressed confidence in reaching an agreement soon. If finalized, Morgan would transition from a football fan to a major player in the global spirits industry. Morgan became widely known after the 2013 incident. At just 17 years old, he was collecting balls during a replay of the semi-final between Swansea and Chelsea. Swansea had already won the initial match 2–0, and in the second leg, Morgan attempted to keep possession of the ball, slowing down play. Hazard, playing for Chelsea, tried to retrieve the ball and accidentally struck Morgan with his foot, resulting in a red card for the Belgian midfielder. The match ended in a 0–0 draw, with Swansea advancing to the final and eventually winning the FA Cup. After the match, Hazard apologized to Morgan, and both men agreed that the incident was a one-off. Eleven years later, their paths crossed again, this time in entirely different circumstances. In 2024, Hazard participated in a promotional campaign for Morgan’s vodka, and photos of the two together quickly went viral online. In 2015, Morgan founded Au Vodka with his school friend Jackson Quinn. Starting as a small Welsh project, the brand has grown into one of Britain’s leading ready-to-drink alcohol brands. Known for its golden bottles and aggressive social media campaigns, Au Vodka has collaborated with celebrities such as Floyd Mayweather, Ronaldinho, and Jake Paul. In 2023, private investment firm Metric Capital acquired a minority stake in the company. Recent financial reports show the brand's rapid growth. According to figures released in April 2025, Au Vodka generated revenue of £82.8 million, about €97 million, for the fiscal year ending in that month, marking a 27.3% increase compared to the previous year. Sazerac, a major U.S.-based spirits producer behind well-known brands such as Buffalo Trace, Southern Comfort, and Fireball, is seeking to expand its presence in the UK market. Acquiring Au Vodka would provide Sazerac with access to one of the fastest-growing premium spirit brands in the country. If the deal goes through, Morgan will have transformed from a football fan into a successful businessman, linking his personal story with the world of luxury spirits. The potential sale underscores how a seemingly minor moment in sports can lead to unexpected career opportunities.