Why did Eden Hazard retire? Chelsea legend hung up boots at age of just 32 but is set for Soccer Aid appearance
Eden Hazard enjoyed a glittering career at club and international level before calling it a day at the age of 32.
The Belgian played for Lille, Chelsea and Real Madrid as well as for his country.
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But after 16 years in first-team football, he decided to retire.
It was a sad end to a career that provided some spectacular moments, but the good news is that he's back for 2024's edition of Soccer Aid at Stamford Bridge, live on talkSPORT.
Why did Eden Hazard retire?
After leaving Real Madrid in the summer of 2023, Hazard was without a club by the time the summer transfer window in Europe and Saudi Arabia closed.
And with no prospect of a team, Hazard released a statement on .
Read more on Hazard
It read: "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.
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"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."
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Jamie O'Hara and Jermaine Pennant compare Cole Palmer's performances this season at Chelsea to that of Eden Hazard at the Blues and Gareth Bale at Tottenham Hotspur
Hazard made his Ligue 1 debut for Lille at just 16 and enjoyed several brilliant moments during his career.
In total, he made close to 750 appearances and was a standout performer for both Lille and Chelsea.
Hazard was never injured for Lille and only suffered two problems in his first four seasons with the Blues.
He was always fit and always played.
Even by the time he left Chelsea in the summer of 2019 for a dream move to Real, Hazard hadn't missed any significant time through injury.
But as soon as he got to Spain, things changed.
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Hazard spent four seasons with Real, in which he made just 76 appearances for the Spanish giants.
In total, he missed 85 games through injury over four years, and even when healthy, he often wasn't match fit.
In his statement, the former forward says that he must listen to himself and by that, he probably means his body, which has failed him in recent years.
Given he was only 32, Hazard should have had many more years at the top of his game, but he wasn't the same player.
However, he's still paying in charity games and will be one of several stars lining up for the Rest of the World XI vs England this afternoon.
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