In a stunning turn of events, Belgian football sensation Eden Hazard, at the age of 32, has decided to hang up his boots, marking the end of a career filled with promise but marred by injuries and an ill-fated stint at Real Madrid. The former Chelsea winger, who had been without a club since parting ways with the Spanish giants at the conclusion of the previous season, made the emotional announcement on Tuesday.
Hazard's illustrious career, spanning 16 years and over 700 matches, was a rollercoaster ride of highs and lows. In his heartfelt message, he expressed gratitude to the coaches, managers, and teammates who had been a part of his journey, a sentiment he extended to his former clubs – LOSC, Chelsea, and Real Madrid – as well as the RBFA for his contributions to the Belgian national team.
The retiring star also gave special recognition to his family, friends, advisors, and those who stood by him through thick and thin. Hazard's tenure at Real Madrid may not have lived up to the enormous expectations that accompanied his €100 million move from Chelsea in 2019, yielding just seven goals and 12 assists in 76 appearances. However, it was not without its silver linings, as he secured a Champions League title, a Club World Cup, a European Super Cup, two La Liga championships, a Copa del Rey, and two Spanish Super Cups.
In stark contrast, his days at Chelsea were characterized by immense success, with two Premier League titles and a tally of 110 goals across 352 appearances, including a memorable strike in the 2019 Europa League final against Arsenal in his final game for the club.
Hazard's International Farewell:
Hazard had already bid adieu to international football after Belgium's disappointing campaign at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. In a poignant message on his Instagram account, he wrote, "A page turns today." Despite being part of Belgium's "golden generation" that reached the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup in Russia, they fell short of clinching the ultimate prize. The Qatar World Cup presented another opportunity, but Hazard's inconsistent form left the Belgian national team a mere shadow of its former self.
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