Eden Hazard has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 32.
The former Chelsea winger had been without a club since departing Real Madrid following the conclusion of his contract this summer and The Athletic reported in June that he had been considering retirement.
Hazard won the Premier League, Europa League, and La Liga during his 16-year career.
Hazard wrote on Instagram: “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.
“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.”
The Belgium international scored 110 goals in 352 appearances during seven successful years at Chelsea, before moving to Madrid in 2019, becoming the most expensive signing in the club’s history in the process.
Several injury problems limited Hazard to becoming a bit-part player at the club and he struggled to settle at the Santiago Bernabeu.
GO DEEPER
Eden Hazard’s Real Madrid career was derailed by one innocuous tackle
Eden Hazard’s Real Madrid career was derailed by one innocuous tackle
Analysis by The Athletic’s Michael Cox
Maybe all that football led to long-term fatigue, and it’s fair to say that Hazard wasn’t the most dedicated in terms of physical conditioning. Team-mates say they never saw him in the gym, and he would barely stay longer at the training ground than was required.
He was the anti-Cristiano Ronaldo. In a way, that is part of his charm, and in the realm of top-class modern footballers, Hazard has always seemed a normal, down-to-earth guy. Away from football, he is a family man rather than someone interested in fame.
It would be a shame if Hazard is remembered mostly for this disastrous period in Madrid, considering his performances for Chelsea that got him the move there.
(Photo: Getty Images)
