A glorious career cut short by injuries
Hazard began his career at French club Lille, where he won the Ligue 1 title and the Coupe de France in 2011. He then moved to Chelsea in 2012, where he became a fan favourite and a key player for the Blues. He helped Chelsea win two Premier League titles, two Europa League titles, one FA Cup and one League Cup. He also won several individual awards, including the PFA Players’ Player of the Year, the FWA Footballer of the Year and the Premier League Player of the Season.
In 2019, Hazard joined Real Madrid for a reported fee of £89 million, making him the club’s second most expensive signing after Gareth Bale. However, his time at the Spanish capital was marred by injuries and poor form. He played only 54 league games for Los Blancos, scoring five goals and providing eight assists. He also missed out on several important matches, including the Champions League semi-final against Chelsea last season. He left Real Madrid at the end of the 2020-21 season by mutual consent.
Hazard also represented Belgium at the international level, earning 106 caps and scoring 32 goals. He was part of the golden generation of Belgian football that reached the quarter-finals of the 2014 World Cup, the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup and the third place of the 2020 European Championship. He retired from international football in December 2022, after Belgium failed to qualify for the 2023 World Cup.
A farewell message to his fans and teammates
Hazard announced his retirement from football on Tuesday, October 10, 2023, through his official social media channels. He thanked his fans, teammates, coaches and clubs for their support and love throughout his career. He also expressed his gratitude to his family, especially his wife Natacha and his four children, for their understanding and sacrifice.
He wrote: “It is with a heavy heart that I announce my retirement from professional football. It has been a wonderful journey that I will never forget. I have been blessed to play for some amazing clubs and to share the pitch with some incredible players. I have also been lucky to win some trophies and awards that I am very proud of. But above all, I have enjoyed every moment of playing this beautiful game that I love so much.
However, everything has an end and I feel that this is the right time for me to say goodbye. The last few years have been very difficult for me physically and mentally. I have suffered a lot of injuries that have prevented me from performing at my best level and from enjoying myself on the field. I have also missed spending time with my family, who have always been there for me and who deserve my full attention.
Therefore, I have decided to retire from football and to focus on other aspects of my life. I want to thank everyone who has been part of my journey: my fans, who have always supported me and cheered me on; my teammates, who have been like brothers to me and who have helped me grow as a player and as a person; my coaches, who have taught me so much and who have trusted me; my clubs, who have given me the opportunity to play for them and to represent their colours; and my family, who have been my rock and my inspiration.
I will always be grateful to all of you and I will always keep you in my heart. You have made me happy and you have made me who I am today. Thank you for everything.”
A tribute from the football fraternity
Hazard’s retirement from football was met with an outpouring of tributes from his former teammates, rivals, coaches and fans. Many praised him for his talent, skill, creativity and flair on the pitch, as well as his humility, professionalism and kindness off it.
Some of the notable messages were:
- Cristiano Ronaldo: “Eden Hazard is one of the best players I have ever faced. He has a natural ability to dribble past defenders and create chances for himself and others. He is also a great person and a good friend. I wish him all the best in his future endeavours.”
- Lionel Messi: “Eden Hazard is a fantastic player who has given so much joy to football fans around the world. He has a unique style that makes him unpredictable and exciting to watch. He is also a humble and respectful guy who always plays with a smile on his face. I hope he enjoys his retirement.”
- Zinedine Zidane: “Eden Hazard is a player that I admire a lot. He has everything that a coach wants in a player: talent, intelligence, work ethic and personality. He is a leader on and off the pitch. He has been unlucky with injuries at Real Madrid, but he never gave up and he always tried to help the team. He is a true champion and I wish him the best.”
- Frank Lampard: “Eden Hazard is a legend of Chelsea and of the Premier League. He was a joy to play with and to manage. He has a rare combination of skill, speed, vision and finishing that makes him unstoppable. He is also a great character who always brings positivity and fun to the dressing room. He deserves all the respect and admiration that he gets.”
- Roberto Martinez: “Eden Hazard is a special player who has made history for Belgium. He has been the captain and the leader of the golden generation that has achieved so much for our country. He has always played with passion, pride and commitment for the national team. He is an example for the young players and for the fans. He will always be remembered as one of the greatest Belgian players of all time.”
