Eden Hazard has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 32. The Belgian parted ways with Real Madrid in June 2023.

“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.”

“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 thanks to the RBFA for my Belgian Selection.”

“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.”

The Beginning

Hazard began his football career playing for his hometown club Royal Stade Brainois at the age of four where he was described by one of the youth coaches as a “gifted” player. He added: “He knew everything. I had nothing to teach him”

Hazard had an eight-year spell at the club before moving to AFC Tubize. At Tubize, he was spotted by a Lille scout while playing in a local tournament with the club. The scout’s subsequent report on him spurred the club officials to meet with Hazard’s father and offer the young Hazard an aspirant (youth) contract. Hazard’s parents went on to accept the offer from Lille.

Club Hazard

Hazard began his senior career with Ligue 1 club Lille in 2007 at the age of 16 and soon became an integral part of the Lille team under manager Rudi Garcia. The Belgian made over 190 appearances and scored 50 goals for Lille.

Hazard then signed for English outfit, Chelsea, in June 2012 and went on to have a remarkable and unforgettable career at the Club.

Hazard won the UEFA Europa League in his first season and was named the PFA Young Player of the Year in his second season. In the 2014–15 season, Hazard played a huge role in Chelsea’s Football League Cup win and Premier League title, earning him the FWA Footballer of the Year and the PFA Players’ Player of the Year awards.

Two years later he won his second English league title as Chelsea won the 2016–17 Premier League. In 2018, he won the FA Cup and was named in the FIFA FIFPRO Men’s World 11. He won the Europa League again with Chelsea in June 2019.

Hazard then joined Real Madrid in the summer of 2019 in a transfer worth up to €150 million, making it one of the highest transfer fees ever.

The transfer did not go as expected as the Chelsea legend was riddled with incessant injury woes, performances that were far off from the Eden Hazard the football world had come to know, which saw him feature in a few games, and subsequently parting ways with the club in June 2023 and formally announcing his retirement from professional football on Tuesday, October 10, 2023.

International Hazard

Hazard made his senior debut for the Belgium national team in November 2008, at the age of 17. He earned over 126 caps and was a member of the Belgian squad which reached the quarter-finals of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, UEFA Euro 2016, and Euro 2020.

Hazard captained Belgium to third place at the 2018 World Cup, it was their best finish in history. He received the Silver Ball as the second-best player of the tournament.

The Belgian Red Devil served as the captain of the team from 2015 to 2022. He was captain when Belgium topped the FIFA men’s ranking for the first time, which became the longest continuous reign of any European team.