Former Chelsea and Real Madrid winger Eden Hazard retires from football at the age of 32. The Belgium international confirmed the news after uploading a post on Instagram.
Hazard has been without a club since leaving Madrid as a free agent in the summer, he did reportedly have offers to continue his career but has opted to retire instead.
The 32-year old won the Premier League with Chelsea and was considered one of the best player in England. He also won the Premier League Player of the Year, PFA Players’ Player of the Year and FWA Player of the Year for an outstanding 2014/15 campaign with the Blues.
Hazard moved to Chelsea from Lille when he was just 21 years old. The Belgian scored 110 goals in 352 appearances for the Blues, winning two Premier League titles, two Europa Leagues, an FA Cup and an EFL Cup before completing a big-money move to Real Madrid in 2019.
However, his move to Real Madrid did not go as planned. Hazard went on to make just 76 appearances across four seasons in the Spanish capital.
Ex-Chelsea and Real Madrid player Eden Hazard retires from football
What Hazard said after announcing his retirement: “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 realise my dream, I have played and had fun on many pitches around the world.
“During my career I was lucky to meet great managers, coaches and teammates – thank you to everyone for these great times, I will miss you all. I also want to thank the clubs I have played for: LOSC, Chelsea and Real Madrid; and thank the RBFA for my Belgian Selection.
“A special thank you to my family, my friends, my advisors and the people who have been close to me in good times and bad. Finally, a huge thank you to you, my fans, who have followed me for all these years and for your encouragement everywhere I have played. Now is the time to enjoy my loved ones and have new experiences. See you off the field soon my friends.”
Hazard retires after a disappointing four-year spell at Madrid where he failed to live up to his lofty price tag.
