Eden Hazard has shut down speculation of retirement from football following his exit from Real Madrid. Hazard enjoyed an outstanding career at Lille and Chelsea, helping the former to a French league and cup double in 2011 and going on to win six major trophies in seven years with the latter. Eden Hazard at a match for Real Madrid. Source: Getty For much of the 2010s, the Belgian winger was considered one of the best players in the world. Sadly, however, his 2019 switch to Real Madrid worth up to €146m with add-ons will be remembered as one of the worst transfers in history. He attained an unwanted flop status in his 3 years at Real Madrid and agreed to a mutual termination of his contract a year early. Though Eden Hazard has announced his retirement from international football, he is defiant about what comes next for him in club football. When asked about his plans for the future this weekend, he claimed that his time with Los Blancos amounted to a ‘rest’ that will allow him to carry on his career somewhere else, rather than go down the route of relatively early retirement like former teammate Gareth Bale. The former Chelsea man who was given a guard of honor at the King Baudouin Stadium before Belgium’s match with Austria in the Euro 2024 qualifier on Saturday, June 17, told Belgian broadcaster RTBF; Eden Hazard waving goodbye to fans at Belgium’s Euro 2024 qualifier against Austria. Source: AFP “Retirement? Honestly, I don’t know yet. After these three difficult years, I just want to spend time with my family and go on holiday like everyone else. “It’s true that, in the last few days, I’ve read a lot of things about me, and a lot of nonsense. “Going to Molenbeek with my brother? I don’t know if it’s stupid, we’ll see. I know I’m not giving the answers that are expected but that’s because, honestly, I don’t have them yet. “Having said that, I can assure you that I am still capable of being a professional footballer. My body can take it. Besides, I’ve been resting for three years.” Although his chances of playing European football are minimal, there is a chance that he could move to the MLS this summer. After all, the MLS has been getting a lot of attraction since the transfer of Lionel Messi to Inter Miami.
Hazard to leave Real Madrid after poor four-year spell
Belgian football star, Eden Hazard will leave Real Madrid at the end of this month, a year before the expiration of his contract. The Belgian signed for the La Liga giants in 2019 following a hugely successful stint at Chelsea, but injuries affected most of his spell there. Hazard in action for Real Madrid. Source: Getty During his time at Real Madrid, he scored seven goals in 76 appearances, 10 of which came in all competitions in the 2022/23 season. Among the trophies won at the club are two La Liga titles, one Champions League, and one Copa Del Rey. Confirming that Hazard will leave the club after the final match of the season on Sunday, June 4, Real Madrid said in a statement; “Real Madrid CF and Eden Hazard have reached an agreement whereby the player will be released from the club as of June 30, 2023. “Hazard has been part of our club for four seasons, in which he has won eight titles: one European Cup, one Club World Cup, one European Super Cup, two leagues, one Copa del Rey and two Spanish Super Cups.
Hazard in a match against Getafe. Source: Getty “Real Madrid wants to express its affection for Eden Hazard and wishes him and his entire family the best of luck in this new stage.” 32-year-old Hazard joined Real from Chelsea for a club record fee that was reported as an initial amount of 88.5-million pounds ($110 million) before add-ons, and a weekly salary of 400,000 pounds, making him one of the team’s top earners. Having the midfielder off the wage bill for next season will potentially allow Real to target a new forward, with coach Carlo Ancelotti admitting he expects a number of fresh faces to arrive. The Athletic have reported that ‘retirement is an option’ for Hazard but a decision has not yet been made. He had a very poor World Cup outing in Qatar with Belgium and announced his retirement from international football after the tournament.