Former professional footballer Eden Hazard has announced his retirement from football at the age of 32. The Belgian winger, who played for clubs such as Lille, Chelsea, and Real Madrid, made the decision after being without a club since June and facing continued injury concerns. Hazard expressed his gratitude towards his managers, coaches, teammates, and clubs he played for throughout his 15-season career. He also mentioned his desire to spend more time with his loved ones and pursue new experiences.
Despite retiring relatively young by modern standards, Hazard enjoyed a remarkable career. He began his career at Ligue 1 side Lille, where he made a significant impact, scoring 103 goals and assists in 194 games. His performances helped Lille win the French title in the 2010/11 season. This success led to Hazard’s move to Premier League club Chelsea in 2012 for €35m. During his seven years at Chelsea, he emerged as one of the most talented attacking players in Europe, contributing 146 goals and assists in 245 Premier League games. His market value rose from €40m in 2012 to a career-high of €150m in 2018.
In 2019, Hazard joined Real Madrid for a club record fee of €115m. However, his time in Spain was marred by injuries, causing him to miss a significant number of games. Over four seasons, he made just 76 appearances for Real Madrid. Despite winning two league titles, two domestic cups, and the Champions League trophy in 2022, Hazard was unable to replicate his success at Chelsea. His market value dropped to €5m before his departure from the club at the end of the 2022/23 season. A few months later, Hazard chose to retire from football.
Hazard’s retirement marks the end of a decorated career, which includes numerous individual and team achievements. He played a vital role in Chelsea‘s resurgence as a title contender and contributed to their Europa League and Premier League successes. However, injuries hampered his time at Real Madrid, and he was unable to reach the heights he achieved in England. Despite his retirement, Hazard’s legacy as one of the most talented and influential players of his generation is assured.
