On Tuesday, at the age of 32, Eden Hazard officially retired from professional football, marking the conclusion of his illustrious 16-year career.
During his career, the versatile forward experienced triumphant stints with Lille and Chelsea, followed by a less successful tenure at Real Madrid.
In an Instagram post, Hazard shared his thoughts on his decision, saying, “You must listen to yourself and say stop at the right time.” He reflected, “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. During my career, I was fortunate to meet great managers, coaches, and teammates — thank you to everyone for these great times. I will miss you all.”
Hazard expressed his gratitude to the three clubs he represented — Lille, Chelsea, and Real Madrid — as well as the Belgian FA and national team, in his heartfelt message.
The post continued with thanks to his family, friends, advisors, and those who supported him through the ups and downs. Hazard also extended his appreciation to his dedicated fans, who have been with him throughout his journey. He concluded, “Now is the time to enjoy my loved ones and have new experiences. See you off the field soon, my friends.”
Throughout his remarkable career, Hazard clinched five league titles — two with Chelsea, two with Real Madrid, and one with Lille. He also earned numerous individual accolades, including the PFA Player of the Year for the 2014-15 season.
A pivotal figure in Belgium’s emerging generation of players, Hazard played a crucial role in leading his national team to a third-place finish in the 2018 World Cup, narrowly missing the opportunity to advance to the finals as they were defeated by eventual champions France in the semifinals.
Both Chelsea and Lille paid homage to Hazard in heartfelt tributes. Chelsea acknowledged him on social media platform X, stating that he was “a player who could do pretty much anything with a ball at his feet.” The tribute ended with “Happy retirement to one of Chelsea’s greatest ever players.”
Similarly, Lille shared an emotional tribute, declaring that Hazard’s brilliance will forever be etched in their memories, and hailing him as the “greatest talent nurtured by LOSC.