Eden Hazard Announces Retirement From Football, Says He Has Fulfilled His Dream

Belgian footballer, Eden Hazard, has officially announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 32.

Sportxparte reports that the former star player for Chelsea and Real Madrid began his career with his childhood club, Lille, in 2007.

Throughout his time there, he made a total of 194 appearances, scoring an impressive 50 goals. Additionally, he was honoured with the Ligue 1 Young Player and Player of the Year awards on two separate occasions.

In a statement shared on his Instagram account on Tuesday, Hazard expressed that he believes it is the right time to bring his football career to a close. He stated, “It is important to listen to oneself and recognize when it is time to stop. After 16 years and over 700 matches played, I have made the decision to retire as a professional footballer.”

Eden Hazard

Reflecting on his journey, Hazard expressed gratitude for the opportunities he had to fulfil his dreams and enjoy the sport on various pitches around the world. He also expressed appreciation for the exceptional managers, coaches, and teammates he had the privilege of working with throughout his career. Hazard extended his thanks to the clubs he played for, including LOSC, Chelsea, and Real Madrid, as well as the Royal Belgian Football Association for his time representing the Belgian national team.

Furthermore, Hazard expressed his heartfelt appreciation to his family, friends, advisors, and those who supported him through both the highs and lows of his career. He concluded his statement by expressing his immense gratitude to his fans, who have faithfully followed him throughout the years and provided unwavering encouragement. Hazard now looks forward to cherishing time with his loved ones and embarking on new experiences.

He concluded his statement by saying, “I hope to see you all soon, off the field, my friends.”