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Eden Hazard announces retirement from professional football

By Isha Mohan

MADRID, SPAIN - JUNE 13: Real Madrid's new signing from Chelsea, Belgium forward Eden Hazard speaks to press members after his signing ceremony at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid, Spain on June 13, 2019. (Photo by Burak Akbulut/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN - JUNE 13: Real Madrid's new signing from Chelsea, Belgium forward Eden Hazard speaks to press members after his signing ceremony at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid, Spain on June 13, 2019. (Photo by Burak Akbulut/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) /
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Eden Hazard played for Lille, Chelsea and Real Madrid during his 16-year professional career. The Belgian debuted for Lille as a 16-year-old back in November 2007. (Photo by ANP via Getty Images) /

Former Chelsea star Hazard retires at 32

After making his ‘dream move’ to Real Madrid in 2019, injuries prevented Eden Hazard from matching the success he enjoyed at Chelsea. His issues were such that the Belgian star managed to see action in just 38 La Liga games over the past three seasons.

The 32-year-old had announced his retirement from Belgium after the team’s exit in the group stages at last year’s World Cup and he has now retired from club football. He made the announcement via social media on Tuesday after being let go by Real Madrid, even though he is under contract through the end of the 2023-24 season.

The Belgium international helped Chelsea win two Premier League trophies, two Europa Cups, the FA Cup, and also a League Cup after joining the Blues in 2012 with the iconic tweet: “I am joining the Champion League winners.”

Hazard departed for Real Madrid two years before the London side won their second UCL trophy, but he did manage to add another to his résumé when Real Madrid won the Champions League in 2022, although he was an unused substitute in the final. Since joining Los Merengues in summer 2019, Hazard now has two La Liga titles to his name.

In the retirement announcement, the La Louvière, Belgium, native offered the conclusion that it was time for him to hang up his boots, as he made only 76 appearances across 4+ seasons with Real Madrid. The injury prone playmaker managed only 7 goals while wearing the iconic white kit.

According Sky Sports reporter Lyall Thomas, Hazard has not played a full 90-minute game in the past two years for the club or for his national side since 2021.

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Despite the unfortunate ending, the impact Hazard made for the Blues and the league during his era will never be forgotten.

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