Here’s why Eden Hazard retired at the age of 32 from professional football
Why Eden Hazard Decided to Retire at 32
He had previously enjoyed successful stints at Lille and Chelsea, but his final club adventure with Real Madrid was nothing short of disappointing.
The Legacy of Eden Michael Walter Hazard
Born on January 7, 1991, Eden Michael Walter Hazard was a Belgian former professional footballer renowned for his role as a winger or attacking midfielder.
He is hailed as one of the standout talents of his generation and is often regarded as one of the Premier League’s all-time greats.
Rising Through the Ranks: Lille to Chelsea
Eden Hazard embarked on his senior career with the Ligue 1 club Lille in 2007, just at the tender age of 16. He swiftly evolved into a linchpin for the Lille team under the guidance of manager Rudi Garcia.
In his inaugural full season, he achieved the remarkable feat of becoming the first non-French player to secure the Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year award.
The very next season, he etched his name in history by winning the award for a second time. In the 2010-11 season, he spearheaded Lille to a league and cup double triumph and, on the back of his extraordinary performances, was crowned the Ligue 1 Player of the Year—an honor he secured as the youngest player ever to do so.
After making over 190 appearances and finding the net 50 times for Lille, Hazard took a significant leap in his career by signing with English club Chelsea in June 2012.
Chelsea Years: Where Hazard Shined Bright
During his remarkable seven-year tenure at Stamford Bridge, Eden Hazard graced Chelsea with his talents in a staggering 352 appearances.
What’s truly astonishing is that not once did he play fewer than 40 games in a single campaign, a testament to his remarkable durability in the face of relentless opposition defenders.
His golden era at Chelsea, spanning from 2012 to 2019, yielded an impressive collection of trophies, including two Premier League titles, one FA Cup, one Carabao Cup, and two Europa League championships—six trophies in total.
A Farewell to Remember
Hazard’s final performance in Chelsea Blue, a memorable display in the Europa League final in 2019, left an indelible mark on the fans’ hearts.
In what would turn out to be his swan song for the club, Hazard delivered in style, contributing two goals and an assist as the Blues convincingly defeated Arsenal with a score of 4-1.
In total, Eden Hazard left his imprint on the club with 110 goals and 92 assists.
Chelsea’s Best, World’s Finest
During his time at Chelsea, Hazard emerged as one of the best premier footballers. However, he harbored ambitions for an even greater legacy, which led him to make a pivotal decision.
The Belgian maestro set his sights on the illustrious Spanish giants, Real Madrid, with the aspiration of achieving even more in the twilight of his career, which led to Why Hazard Decided to Retire at 32.
Real Madrid: A Record-Breaking Transfer and a Disappointing Stint
In the summer of 2019, Eden Hazard made a high-profile move to Real Madrid in a transfer worth up to €150 million.
This transfer, replacing Cristiano Ronaldo, who had joined Juventus at the time, was one of the most expensive in football history.
Great expectations accompanied Hazard to the Spanish capital. However, injury setbacks, subpar performances, and fitness issues limited his playing time at the club.
Eden Hazard’s time at Real Madrid came to a close in June 2023, when he formally announced his retirement from professional football three months later.
Although he wasn’t subbed on for his final game, his teammates ensured he received a fitting send-off. Notably, he didn’t participate in a single minute of an El Clásico match after joining Real Madrid in 2019.
The last time Hazard faced Barcelona was in 2018, donning Chelsea’s colors in the UEFA Champions League.
During his four-season tenure at Real Madrid, Eden Hazard played 72 times, contributing seven goals and 12 assists.
Despite the challenges he faced, he managed to be a part of the squad that secured seven major titles, including one UEFA Champions League, one Club World Cup, two La Liga titles, one UEFA Super Cup, one Spanish Cup, and one Spanish Super Cup.
The Key Factor Behind Eden Hazard’s Retirement at 32
Eden Hazard’s decision to retire at the age of 32 took many by surprise.
His retirement was mainly influenced by the disappointment of not finding a new club following the expiration of his contract with Real Madrid in June 2023.
Despite being linked to several clubs, such as the American club Vancouver Whitecaps, Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal, Turkish club Fenerbahce, and English clubs Arsenal and Chelsea, no team managed to secure his services as a free agent.
This was largely due to his diminishing contributions during his time at Real Madrid.
When Eden Hazard was asked why he retired at the age of 32 from professional football, he replied:
“I always said that I would stop playing as soon as I no longer had fun on the field”.
“I didn’t want to go play somewhere for the money. I didn’t enjoy training… and I didn’t play anymore. The decision was simple”, told L’Avenir.
Hazard had already ended his international career, which added to his decision to retire from professional football.
The pivotal moment (ending his international career) occurred after Belgium’s disappointing run at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar the previous year.
Hazard chose to share the news of his international retirement on his official Instagram handle, stating, “A new chapter begins today.”
Following Eden Hazard’s retirement at 32, the football world buzzed with reactions. People from around the globe expressed their thoughts and sentiments about the departure of the football icon.
