Eden Hazard, the Belgian footballer known for his incredible talent and love for the game, has decided to retire at the age of 32. In a heartfelt message on social media, he expressed that playing football was no longer enjoyable for him. This realization had been growing since his move to Real Madrid in 2019, a transfer that cost €100 million.
The main reason Hazard played the game was to have fun. From his childhood days playing in the family garden, he always wanted to enjoy himself on the pitch. It comes as no surprise that he mentioned this dream fulfilled in his retirement announcement.
Despite recent injury setbacks during his time at Madrid, Hazard leaves behind a remarkable legacy as one of the greatest forwards to have ever played in the Premier League. He has become a legend for both Chelsea and Belgium. His impressive stats speak for themselves, with 110 goals in 352 games for Chelsea and numerous trophies, including two Premier League titles, two Europa Leagues, and one FA Cup. In 2014-15, he was named PFA and FWA Player of the Year. Furthermore, for his national team, he scored 33 goals in 126 games, contributing to Belgium’s successful run in the 2018 World Cup.
Hazard was an artist on the football pitch, recognized as one of the best dribblers of his generation. In his prime, he was virtually unstoppable. With his low center of gravity, incredible skill, pace, intelligence, and fierce determination to win, opponents often found it impossible to get near him or take the ball away. One of his most memorable goals came in a match against Arsenal in 2017, where he ran from the halfway line, leaving defenders in his wake.
His football journey began when he was scouted by Lille in 2005, showcasing his talent from a young age. Hazard made his professional debut for Lille at the age of 16, and later became only one of two players to be crowned Young Player of the Year and Player of the Year multiple times in Ligue 1, alongside Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappé. During his time at Lille, he played a vital role in the club’s victory in both the league and cup in 2011.
In 2013, Hazard made the move to Chelsea for approximately €40 million. This transfer allowed him to become the main man in the team and assert his influence on the pitch. He terrorized Premier League defenses and led Chelsea to numerous trophies during his time there.
However, Hazard’s dream move to Real Madrid in 2019 did not live up to expectations. His time in Spain was marred by injuries, disappointments, and poor decisions. It became clear that he never truly felt like a footballer at Madrid. Despite winning several trophies, including two LaLiga titles, he couldn’t make them his own. The beginning of the end was marked by his absence from El Clasico, the most significant clash between Real Madrid and Barcelona.
One issue that plagued Hazard throughout his career was his tendency to report for preseason training sessions overweight. While he viewed holidays as sacred, his clubs never forgave him for this, and it seemed to have a lasting impact on his performances. In Madrid, he lost his spark and failed to reach his full potential.
Although some may argue that his time at Madrid overshadowed his achievements at Chelsea, it is unfair to compare him to footballing giants like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Hazard was a different kind of player, a showman and entertainer. Fans would buy tickets just to witness his incredible skills. He had a knack for making the impossible possible. As former Belgium assistant manager Thierry Henry once remarked, “I would watch him and think: ‘Why on earth is he trying this?’ And then he would succeed, and I would be like: ‘Ah yes, okay!’”
Football needs players like Hazard, who bring joy and excitement to the game. Although he was unable to showcase his true abilities in recent years, he deserves his place among the greats for the fun and enjoyment he spread throughout his career. As Hazard steps away from professional football, fans around the world bid farewell to a player who made the game a true spectacle.
Credit Gist New Today News in Newspaper Nigeria Headlines