Belgian attacking midfielder Eden Hazard has officially announced his retirement from professional football.
The decision comes after the 32-year-old failed to secure a new club following his release by Real Madrid.
Hazard's time at Real Madrid was marred by persistent injuries since his high-profile £89 million transfer from Chelsea in 2019. Over the course of four seasons, he managed just 76 appearances in all competitions.
In an Instagram post, Hazard expressed, "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."
Hazard enjoyed considerable success during his tenure at Chelsea, winning the Premier League title and Europa League twice, in addition to the FA and League Cup, from 2012 to 2019.
He was a pivotal figure in Belgium's remarkable journey to the 2018 World Cup semi-finals, defeating Brazil in the quarter-finals but ultimately falling to eventual champions France in the semi-final.
However, Hazard and the Belgium national team faced disappointment in the 2022 World Cup, exiting in the group stage alongside fellow stars Kevin de Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku.
Despite his ups and downs, Hazard expressed gratitude as he concluded his career, saying, "I was able to realise my dream; I have played and had fun on many pitches around the world."
He also extended his thanks to the clubs he played for, the Belgian federation, friends, family, advisors, and most importantly, his devoted fans who supported him throughout his illustrious career.
