Sports Desk : dhakamirror.com
At the age of just 32, Eden Hazard has announced his retirement from football.
The former Chelsea and Real Madrid forward, known for his exceptional dribbling skills and goal-scoring prowess, has called time on a career that spanned over 16 years and more than 700 matches.
“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 realise my dream, I have played and had fun on many pitches around the world,” Hazard wrote a goodbye message on Instagram.
“During my career I was lucky to meet great managers, coaches and teammates – thank you to everyone for these great times, I will miss you all. I also want to thank the clubs I have played for: LOSC, Chelsea and Real Madrid; and thank the RBFA for my Belgian Selection,” he further added.
Born in La Louvière, Belgium, Hazard grew up in a family of footballers. His journey to stardom began at LOSC Lille, where he won the French championship and the French cup in the 2010/11 season. His performances caught the attention of Chelsea FC, leading to a move to the English Premier League in 2012.
At Chelsea, Hazard’s career flourished. He helped the club secure two Premier League titles in 2015 and 2017, an FA Cup in 2018, and the English League Cup in 2015. His individual brilliance was recognized when he was named the Footballer of the Year in England in 2015, and three times as the Player of the Year in 2014/15, 2011/12, and 2010/11.
In 2019, Hazard made a high-profile move to Spanish giants Real Madrid. Despite facing challenges with form and fitness, he managed to add to his trophy cabinet with two La Liga titles, a Champions League title, a FIFA Club World Cup, a UEFA Super Cup, and two Spanish Super Cups.
Internationally, Hazard represented Belgium in three World Cups and two European Championships. He earned 126 caps for his country, scoring 33 goals before announcing his retirement from international football in December 2022, following Belgium’s exit from the World Cup.
“A special thank you to my family, my friends, my advisors and the people who have been close to me in good times and bad. Finally, a huge thank you to you, my fans, who have followed me for all these years and for your encouragement everywhere I have played. Now is the time to enjoy my loved ones and have new experiences. See you off the field soon my friends,” he further added in his post.
Hazard’s retirement marks the end of an era for one of football’s most gifted players. His agility, speed, and creativity on the field have left an indelible mark on the sport. As he steps off the pitch, the football world bids farewell to a true legend.
