LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) Former Chelsea and Real Madrid star, Eden Hazard, has officially announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 32.
The Belgian midfielder made the revelation via an Instagram post, expressing that he believes it is the right time to conclude his career.
Hazard had been without a club since departing from Real Madrid as a free agent during the summer transfer window.
In his Instagram statement, Hazard conveyed his gratitude for the experiences and opportunities he had during his 16-year professional football journey, which encompassed over 700 matches worldwide.
He acknowledged the important roles played by his managers, coaches, teammates, and the clubs he represented, including LOSC, Chelsea, and Real Madrid.
Hazard also extended his appreciation to the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) for selecting him to represent Belgium on the international stage.
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Furthermore, Hazard gave special thanks to his family, friends, advisors, and supporters who had been with him through the ups and downs of his career.
He expressed eagerness to relish quality time with loved ones and embark on new adventures.
Hazard concluded his message by expressing his anticipation of reconnecting with his fans in different capacities in the future.
Eden Hazard’s retirement comes after an underwhelming four-year stint at Real Madrid, where he struggled to meet the high expectations associated with his substantial transfer fee.
Before his move to Madrid, Hazard had notably excelled at Chelsea in the English Premier League, clinching two league titles and contributing 110 goals in 352 appearances.
His outstanding performances led to him becoming one of just four players in Premier League history to register 15 or more goals and 15 or more assists in a single season.
Hazard’s future endeavors remain uncertain, leaving open the possibility of coaching, advisory roles, or pursuing fresh challenges in other domains.
