Belgium's football icon Eden Hazard announces retirement at 32
Posted : 10 October 2023
Eden Hazard made the announcement of his retirement from professional football at the age of 32 on Tuesday, marking the conclusion of his illustrious 16-year career.
The forward experienced prosperous periods at Lille and Chelsea before concluding his club career with a less-than-ideal stint at Real Madrid. In an Instagram post, Hazard expressed his decision with these words: "You must listen to yourself and say stop at the right time."
"After 16 years and more than 700 matches played, I have decided to end my career as a professional footballer. I was able to realize my dream, I have played and had fun on many pitches around the world," he stated.
Hazard's most glorious days unfolded at Chelsea, and he bid a fond farewell to the club by scoring in their victory over Arsenal in the 2019 Europa League final.
He went on to express his gratitude to the numerous managers, coaches, and teammates he encountered throughout his career. "During my career, I was fortunate to work alongside great mentors and share the field with exceptional teammates. To all of you, I extend my heartfelt thanks for these incredible times. I will miss you all," he acknowledged.
Hazard also conveyed his appreciation to the three clubs he represented – Lille, Chelsea, and Real Madrid – as well as the Belgian FA and national team.
His heartfelt message continued, "A special thank you to my family, my friends, my advisors, and the people who have stood by me through thick and thin."
Finally, he expressed his gratitude to his devoted fans who have supported him over the years. "Now is the time for me to savor moments with my loved ones and embark on new experiences. Farewell, my friends; I'll see you off the field soon."
Hazard's career was marked by five league titles – two with Chelsea, two with Los Blancos, and one with Lille. He also garnered several individual accolades, including the PFA Player of the Year in 2014-15.
Additionally, Hazard played a pivotal role in Belgium's emerging generation of players, guiding them to a third-place finish at the 2018 World Cup, where they narrowly lost to eventual champions France in the semifinals.
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