Former Lille, Chelsea and Real Madrid star Eden Hazard has officially retired from professional football at the age of 32. The Belgian winger made the announcement through a heartfelt post on his Instagram page, reflecting on his illustrious career that spanned 16 years and included more than 700 matches.
Hazard's journey in professional football began at Lille in France, where he scored 50 goals and provided 53 assists in 194 appearances. During his time at Lille, he won the 2010-11 Ligue 1 title and the Coupe de France in the same season. His impressive performances caught the attention of top clubs across Europe, leading to his move to Chelsea in 2012 for a reported £32 million.
In his debut season for Chelsea, Hazard made an immediate impact, providing an assist and winning a penalty in a 2-0 victory over Wigan Athletic. He soon followed it up with his first goal for the club in a league match against Newcastle.
Hazard went on to make 62 appearances in his first season at Chelsea, laying the foundation for an impressive legacy at the club. During his seven-year tenure at Stamford Bridge, he won two Premier League titles, two Europa League titles, one FA Cup, and one League Cup. Hazard was named the PFA Players' Player of the Year and Premier League Player of the Season during the 2014–15 campaign. He also won the Chelsea Player of the Year award four times for his outstanding performances on the wing.
After helping Chelsea secure a 4-1 victory over Arsenal in the 2018-19 Europa League final with a brace, Hazard bid farewell to the club, signalling that it was time to move on. He made a high-profile transfer to La Liga club Real Madrid in a deal worth up to £150 million.
However, Hazard's time at Real Madrid was plagued by injuries, limiting his impact on the pitch. Over four seasons in Spain, he made just 76 appearances, scoring seven goals and providing 12 assists across all competitions. His injury woes eventually led to his release by Real Madrid in the summer of 2023.
In his retirement announcement, Hazard expressed gratitude to the clubs he played for, including LOSC, Chelsea, and Real Madrid, as well as to his family, friends, advisors, and fans who supported him throughout his career. He acknowledged that it was time to enjoy moments with his loved ones and embark on new experiences outside of professional football. Hazard's retirement marks the end of an era for one of the most talented wingers in recent football history.
Eden Hazard Honours:
Lille
Ligue 1: 2010–11
Coupe de France: 2010–11
Chelsea FC
Premier League: 2014–15, 2016–17
FA Cup: 2017–18
Football League Cup/EFL Cup: 2014–15
UEFA Europa League: 2012–13, 2018–19
Real Madrid
La Liga: 2019–20, 2021–22
Copa del Rey: 2022–23
Supercopa de España: 2021–22
UEFA Champions League: 2021–22
UEFA Super Cup: 2022
FIFA Club World Cup: 2022
Individual
Belgian Sportsman of the Year: 2018
UEFA Europa League Player of the Season: 2018–19
Ligue 1 Player of the Year: 2010–11, 2011–12
FWA Footballer of the Year: 2014–15
Premier League Player of the Season: 2014–15
PFA Players' Player of the Year 2014–15
PFA Fans' Player of the Year: 2018–19
Belgium Player of the Year: 2017, 2018, 2019
Best Belgian Abroad: 2017, 2018, 2019
Chelsea Player of the Year: 2013–14, 2014–15, 2016–17, 2018–19
Chelsea Players' Player of the Year: 2014–15, 2018–19
FIFA World Cup Silver Ball: 2018
Bravo Award: 2011
Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year: 2008–09, 2009–10
PFA Young Player of the Year: 2013–14
UNFP Player of the Month: March 2010, March 2011, March 2012, April 2012
Premier League Player of the Month: October 2016, September 2018
PFA Fans' Premier League Player of the Month: October 2016
Premier League Playmaker of the Season: 2018–19
Premier League Goal of the Month: February 2017, April 2019
Chelsea Goal of the Year: 2015–16, 2016–17, 2018–19
Ligue 1 Team of the Year: 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12
FIFA FIFPRO Men's World 11: 2018, 2019
PFA Premier League Team of the Year: 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2016–17
UEFA Team of the Year: 2017, 2018
UEFA Europa League Squad of the Season: 2018–19
ESM Team of the Season: 2014–15, 2018–19
FIFA World Cup Fantasy Team: 2018
IFFHS Men's World Team: 2018
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