Eden Hazard declares his retirement from professional football
Former Chelsea and Real Madrid standout Eden Hazard has officially retired from football at the age of 32.
Hazard, a revered figure at Chelsea, initiated his career with his childhood club, Lille, in 2007. During his tenure there, he made 194 appearances, netted 50 goals, and achieved accolades such as the Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year and Player of the Year on two occasions.
He took to Instagram to announce his decision to "conclude his career at the appropriate moment."
His statement reads: "You must heed your inner voice and know when to say 'stop' at the right moment. After 16 years and over 700 matches played, I've made the decision to conclude my professional football career.
"I've had the privilege of realizing my childhood dream, enjoying the beautiful game on numerous pitches across the globe. Throughout my journey, I've been fortunate to work alongside exceptional managers, coaches, and teammates - my heartfelt gratitude to each one of you for these memorable experiences. I'll miss you all.
"I'd also like to extend my gratitude to the clubs I've had the honor of representing: LOSC, Chelsea, and Real Madrid; and express my appreciation to RBFA for the opportunities with the Belgian National Team. Special thanks to my family, friends, advisors, and those who stood by me through thick and thin."
"Lastly, I want to express my immense gratitude to all my fans who have faithfully followed me throughout my journey and offered unwavering support wherever I played. Now, it's time for me to relish moments with my loved ones and embrace new experiences.
"Until we meet again off the pitch, my friends."
Just weeks after securing victory in the Champions League, Hazard took to Twitter to announce his return to Chelsea. He marked his debut for the club in a 3-2 match against Manchester City during the 2021 FA Community Shield.
Throughout his time in the Premier League, Hazard solidified his reputation as one of the finest players, amassing 352 appearances for Chelsea and scoring 110 goals. He was honored as the Premier League Player of the Season during the 2014–15 campaign.
Following a seven-year stint with Chelsea, he made a move to Real Madrid in the summer of 2019 through a transfer valued at €146.1 million, inclusive of additional clauses. Regrettably, his tenure with the club was plagued by injuries and physical fitness challenges. During his time at Real Madrid, he managed to score merely seven goals across 76 appearances.
Hazard represented the Belgian national team in 126 matches throughout a remarkable 15-year period.
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