Eden Hazard has been debilitated by injury, bringing to an end a 16-year career marked by great success at club level and unfulfilled promise as part of Belgium’s ‘golden generation’.
The 32-year-old forward announced his retirement from football on Tuesday after making more than 700 appearances and winning the Premier League twice with Chelsea. Before injuries plagued him, Hazard was an unstoppable force, unleashing his dizziness, creativity and dribbling.
Hazard, a much-lauded player, retired from the national team late last year after the veteran side were eliminated in the group stage of the Qatar World Cup.
“I need to listen to myself and say enough at the right time,” said Hazard, who has not been with his club since his contract with Real Madrid expired in June. “I was able to fulfill a dream. I have played and enjoyed many courses around the world.”
Hazard won eight trophies with Madrid, including the Champions League and two Spanish leagues. However, his time at the Merengue club was marked by a series of injuries. He broke his right leg during his first season, which coincided with the beginning of his decline.
He made his professional debut with French club Lille, where he won two League Cups before signing with Chelsea in 2012. He spent seven seasons at Stamford Bridge, scoring 110 goals in 352 games and became an idol of the London club’s fans. .
In addition to winning the Premier League twice, he also won the Europa League twice with Chelsea, as well as the FA Cup and English League Cup.
“Throughout my career I have been lucky to have met some great coaches, managers and team-mates. I would like to thank the clubs I have experienced, LOSC, Chelsea and Real Madrid. And, of course, for taking me to the Belgian team. I am also grateful to the national federations that gave me this.”
At international level, Hazard made his debut for the national team in 2008 at the age of 17. He played in 126 games and scored 33 goals.
He was an integral part of a talented generation that included Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, Thibaut Courtois, Vincent Kompany, Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen, helping Belgium win their first major international title. was destined to give. However, they were only able to reach the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup (after defeating Brazil in the quarter-final round) and fell short in other major competitions.