Eden Hazard, one of the most talented and creative players of his generation, has announced his retirement from football at the age of 32. The former Chelsea and Real Madrid forward, who won numerous trophies and accolades in his career, decided to hang up his boots after leaving the Spanish club in June.
Hazard’s retirement came as a shock to many fans and pundits, who expected him to continue playing for a few more years. However, Hazard said that he listened to himself and said stop at the right time, after 16 years and more than 700 matches played as a professional footballer.
Hazard’s career was a roller-coaster ride of highs and lows, of glory and disappointment, of joy and frustration. He started his journey at Lille, where he made his debut at 16 and became a star in Ligue 1. He won the league and cup double with Lille in 2011 and was named the best player in France for two consecutive seasons.
He then moved to Chelsea in 2012, where he became one of the best players in the Premier League and in Europe. He won two league titles, two Europa Leagues, one FA Cup and one League Cup with the Blues, scoring 110 goals in 352 appearances. He was also voted the PFA Players’ Player of the Year in 2015 and the FWA Footballer of the Year in 2015 and 2019.
Hazard’s dream move to Real Madrid in 2019, however, turned out to be a nightmare. He joined Los Blancos for a whopping £89 million, but he failed to live up to the expectations and the pressure at the Bernabeu. He was plagued by injuries and poor form, and played only 54 league games for Real in four seasons. He scored just five goals and provided eight assists in all competitions for Real, who terminated his contract a year early.
Hazard’s international career was also a mixed bag. He made his debut for Belgium in 2008 and became their captain in 2016. He led them to the quarter-finals of Euro 2016 and the World Cup 2018, where they finished third. He scored 32 goals in 126 caps for his country, becoming their all-time top scorer. However, he missed out on Euro 2020 due to injury and retired from international football in December 2020.
Despite his disappointing end at Real Madrid, Hazard will always be remembered as one of the most brilliant and entertaining players of his era. He had a unique style of play, combining speed, dribbling, vision and flair. He could create magic with his feet, scoring spectacular goals and setting up his teammates. He could also light up the pitch with his smile, his charisma and his passion.
Hazard said that he was able to realise his dream, playing and having fun on many pitches around the world. He thanked his managers, coaches, teammates, clubs and fans for their support and encouragement throughout his career. He also said that he will now enjoy his time with his loved ones and have new experiences.
Hazard’s retirement marks the end of an era for football fans around the world. He will be missed by many who admired his talent and personality. He will also be respected by many who appreciated his dedication and professionalism. He will always be a legend for Chelsea fans, who chanted his name until the end. He will always be a hero for Belgium fans, who cheered him on until the end.
He will always be Eden Hazard, one of a kind.
