Chelsea legend Eden Hazard has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of just 32.
In a statement released via his official social media channels on Tuesday, the former Belgium captain said he wanted to focus on spending more time with his family and seeking out new experiences after an injury-plagued four-year spell at Real Madrid that was terminated 12 months early over the summer.
Taking to Instagram, Hazard, who has been without a club since departing Spain, wrote: “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 thank 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.”
One of Chelsea’s greatest ever players, Hazard joined the Blues from French club Lille in a £32million deal in 2012 and went on to become a superstar, scoring 110 goals and registering 92 assists in 352 appearances across all competitions.
He won a plethora of major silverware in west London including two Premier League titles, the FA Cup, League Cup and two Europa Leagues.
A long-time admirer of Real Madrid and Zinedine Zidane, Hazard secured a £130m move to the Bernabeu in 2019, though his dream transfer did not work out as planned.
He was beset by injuries during his time in Spain, managing just 76 appearances in total before agreeing a mutual early termination of his Madrid contract in June having played just six times in LaLiga last term.
Hazard scored only seven times for Los Blancos, though still won two LaLiga titles and two Champions League crowns plus the Copa del Rey, Spanish Super Cup and Uefa Super Cup.
Hazard was also the figurehead of Belgium’s so-called ‘Golden Generation’ of stars after making his debut aged just 17, captaining the side for seven years from 2015 and scoring 33 goals in 126 senior caps.
He featured at five major tournaments before retiring from international football in the wake of their disappointing group-stage exit from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Only former Chelsea team-mate Romelu Lukaku has scored more goals for Belgium, while only three players - Jan Vertonghen, Axel Witsel and Toby Alderweireld - have ever made more appearances for the Red Devils than Hazard, who is also ninth on Chelsea’s list of all-time top scorers.
