Belgian footballer Eden Hazard, widely recognized for his time at Chelsea, has declared his retirement from professional football. The 32-year-old midfielder, who joined Real Madrid in 2019 in a high-profile move, played 54 league games for the Spanish club before leaving at the conclusion of last season. During his tenure at Chelsea, Hazard secured two Premier League titles, leaving a lasting legacy at Stamford Bridge.
Reflecting on his decision, Hazard emphasized the importance of recognizing the right time to step away from the game, stating, “You must listen to yourself and say stop at the right time.” With a distinguished career spanning 16 years and over 700 matches, the former Chelsea winger has decided to bid farewell to professional football.
Hazard had previously retired from international football in December 2021 following Belgium’s early exit from the 2022 World Cup group stage. At Real Madrid, he clinched the Champions League trophy, a Club World Cup, a European Super Cup, two La Liga titles, one Copa del Rey, and two Spanish Super Cups. Nonetheless, his time in Spain was regarded as underwhelming, as he mustered just seven goals in 76 appearances across all competitions.
Chelsea, acknowledging Hazard’s impact at the club, hailed him as “one of the greatest players in Chelsea history” on their official website. The club also expressed their open arms, stating that he would always be welcome back at Stamford Bridge.
Hazard commenced his football journey at French club Lille, where he garnered 50 goals in 149 appearances and contributed to their domestic double triumph in the 2010-11 season (Ligue 1 and Coupe de France). He later made a move to Chelsea in the summer of 2012 for a reported fee of £32m, becoming an integral figure for the team. In 2014-15, he was crowned PFA Players’ Player of the Year.
Over his tenure at Chelsea, Hazard found the net 110 times in 352 appearances, including the winning goal in the 2019 Europa League final against Arsenal, which marked his final appearance for the club. Furthermore, he stands among an elite group of players in Premier League history, alongside Thierry Henry, Matt Le Tissier, and Eric Cantona, who achieved 15 or more goals and assists in a single season. During the 2018-19 campaign, Hazard recorded 16 goals and 15 assists.
In a social media post, Hazard expressed gratitude towards the managers, coaches, teammates, and clubs he has been associated with throughout his career — Lille, Chelsea, and Real Madrid. He also extended his appreciation to the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) for his international selection. Hazard concluded by thanking his family, friends, advisors, and loyal fans, promising to cherish time with loved ones and seek new experiences off the field.
Having earned 126 international caps and scoring 33 goals, Hazard proudly represented Belgium on the global stage, appearing in three World Cups and two European Championships. He captained the national team on 56 occasions and notably contributed three goals to Belgium’s third-place finish in the 2018 World Cup, including a strike against England in the play-off match.
As Eden Hazard gracefully bows out of professional football, fans worldwide celebrate his illustrious career filled with extraordinary talent, memorable moments, and numerous accolades.
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SOURCE: bbc.com
