Eden Hazard, the former Chelsea and Real Madrid winger, has officially retired from professional football at the age of 32.
His decision comes after he was released by Real Madrid in the summer, following a challenging four-season stint with the Spanish giants that was marred by injuries.
Hazard confirmed his retirement in a heartfelt Instagram post, stating, “After 16 years and more than 700 matches played, I have decided to end my career as a professional footballer.”
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He expressed gratitude to his fans, managers, coaches, teammates, and the clubs he represented during his illustrious career, including LOSC, Chelsea, and Real Madrid.
The Belgian international enjoyed considerable success during his time in the football world. At Chelsea, he won the Premier League twice, the PFA Player of the Year award, two Europa League titles, one FA Cup, and one League Cup.
He was a key figure in Chelsea’s attack, contributing 110 goals and 92 assists in 352 appearances for the Blues.
Hazard’s move to Real Madrid in 2019 was highly anticipated, but injuries plagued his time in Spain.
He secured two La Liga titles and the Champions League with the club, but his career was interrupted by 18 separate injuries, causing him to miss 95 games for both club and country.
On an individual level, Hazard was recognized with awards like the PFA Players’ Player of the Year, Premier League Player of the Season, and Chelsea Player of the Year on four occasions.
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Despite the challenges he faced, Hazard’s contributions to the sport were undeniable, leaving a lasting legacy on both Chelsea and Real Madrid.
As he bids farewell to the pitch, he expressed his desire to enjoy time with loved ones and embark on new adventures beyond football.
