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Belgian football sensation Eden Hazard has bid farewell to the beautiful game, officially announcing his retirement from professional football at the age of 32. Hazard’s illustrious career, marked by dazzling skills and a trove of trophies, was ultimately marred by persistent injuries.
The winger’s time at Real Madrid was plagued by fitness issues, having made a high-profile move from Chelsea to the Spanish giants in June 2019 for a staggering £88.5 million. Over the course of four years at the Bernabéu, he managed just 76 appearances, completing a full 90 minutes in only six of those matches, none of which occurred after December 2021. Recognizing the situation, Hazard made the difficult decision to hang up his boots.
In an Instagram statement, Hazard reflected on his career, saying, “You must listen to yourself and say stop at the right time. After 16 years and more than 700 matches played, I have decided to end my career as a professional footballer. I was able to realize my dream, I have played and had fun on many pitches around the world. Thank you to everyone for these great times, I will miss you all.”
Hazard’s journey to football stardom began in France with Lille, where his captivating performances attracted the attention of Europe’s top clubs. In 2012, he ultimately chose Chelsea, citing their promising project and a better chance to secure a starting spot. Hazard quickly adapted to English football, contributing assists and goals to Chelsea’s success, including two Premier League titles, two Europa Leagues, an FA Cup, and a League Cup. In 2015, he was named PFA Player of the Year.
However, in 2019, Hazard’s departure from Chelsea became inevitable, leading to a high-profile move to Real Madrid, where he was touted as Cristiano Ronaldo’s long-term successor. Despite early promise, Hazard’s tenure in Madrid was plagued by a series of 18 injuries, though he still contributed to the club’s six trophy wins, including two La Liga titles and one Champions League.
Hazard’s legacy will be firmly etched in his contributions to Chelsea, where he made 352 appearances and scored 110 goals, and to the Belgian national team, with 126 appearances and 33 goals. He captained Belgium in the most recent World Cup in Qatar. Undoubtedly, Eden Hazard will be remembered as one of the most talented players of his generation.
In his Instagram statement, Hazard expressed gratitude to his family, friends, advisors, and loyal fans. He concluded by saying, “Now is the time to enjoy my loved ones and have new experiences. See you off the field soon my friends.”
