When eden hazard footballer announced his retirement at just 32 years old, it caught many by surprise. Here was a player regarded as one of the best wingers of his generation, walking away while others his age were still competing at the highest level. Hazard’s career took him from Lille to Chelsea, where he became a Premier League legend, before a €150 million move to Real Madrid in 2019. Despite the glory at Chelsea and lifting the Champions League with Real Madrid in 2022, his time in Spain was marred by injuries and unmet expectations. Hazard’s story taught me something valuable: knowing when to walk away requires as much courage as chasing your dreams. In this article, I’ll explore what we can learn from his journey about recognizing our peaks, accepting reality, and prioritizing wellbeing over expectations.
Eden Hazard’s glory days at Chelsea
From Lille prodigy to Premier League star
Chelsea hazard’s journey started in France, where he made his mark at Lille. By age 16, he was already playing senior football. His talent was undeniable. Hazard became the first non-French player to win the Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year award, then did it again the following season. In the 2010-11 campaign, he helped Lille secure a league and cup double. His final season in France saw him score 21 goals in 48 games, catching the attention of Europe’s biggest clubs.
Chelsea secured his signature in June 2012 for £32m. The decision came down to Chelsea and Manchester United, but Hazard chose Stamford Bridge. “When they won the Champions League I told myself, ‘Why not Chelsea?'” he explained. That choice would define the next seven years of his career.
Eden Hazard Chelsea achievements and stats
The numbers tell one story. Hazard made 352 appearances for Chelsea, scoring 110 goals across all competitions. In the Premier League specifically, he found the net 85 times and provided 54 assists. What made him special was his creativity. During his time in England, he created more chances (595) than any other player in the league.
Trophies followed wherever he went. He won two Premier League titles in 2015 and 2017. Add two Europa League victories (2013 and 2019), an FA Cup in 2018, and the League Cup in 2015. In his final match for the club, he scored twice in the Europa League final against Arsenal, a fitting goodbye.
Individual recognition matched team success. In 2015, he swept every major award: PFA Players’ Player of the Year, FWA Footballer of the Year, and Premier League Player of the Season. Chelsea named him their Player of the Year four times, breaking Frank Lampard’s record.
The peak years: 2014-2019
The 2014-15 season showcased eden hazard footballer at his absolute best. He contributed 14 goals and 10 assists, earning him the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award on 26 April. A week later, he scored the decisive goal against Crystal Palace that clinched Chelsea’s first Premier League title since 2010.
His final season in 2018-19 proved equally remarkable. Playing under Maurizio Sarri, often in a false nine role, he recorded 16 goals and 15 assists in the league. He won the Playmaker award that season, averaging 3.7 dribbles per game, more than anyone else. Over those seven years, he completed 909 dribbles, the most in the Premier League.
The Real Madrid dream that turned into a nightmare
Image Source: Football Espana
The €100 million move to Hazard Real Madrid
Real Madrid and Chelsea agreed a transfer fee of €100m in June 2019, with potential add-ons that could raise the total to €140m-€150m. At 28 years old, eden hazard footballer signed a five-year contract running until June 30, 2024. “It was my dream even if the story was not that good,” he later reflected. The move was meant to fill the void left by Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure a year earlier.
Problems surfaced immediately. Hazard arrived in Madrid overweight by his own admission. A thigh injury during pre-season kept him out for the start of his first La Liga campaign. What followed was a cascade of setbacks that would define his entire Spanish chapter.
Injuries and fitness struggles
In November 2019, Eden Hazard of Real Madrid suffered an ankle fracture that required surgery in March 2020, with a metal plate being inserted into his right fibula. He described that first season as “the worst of my career.” The ankle injury became a lingering issue, with more injuries following throughout the 2020-21 season. His reputation was further tarnished when he was photographed joking with former Chelsea teammates after a Champions League defeat, frustrating many fans.
By March 2022, still struggling with persistent ankle pain and related muscular problems, Hazard underwent another surgery to remove the plate inserted two years earlier. Prior to joining Madrid, his fitness record at Chelsea had been outstanding, missing just 22 of 380 league matches in a decade. However, at Madrid, injuries took a heavy toll on his career.
Failed expectations and declining performances
The numbers tell a brutal story. Across four years, Hazard managed only 76 appearances, scoring 7 goals with 12 assists in all competitions. In La Liga specifically, he recorded 4 goals and 7 assists across 54 appearances. He started just 42 games in 42 months. “I’m really sorry about what has happened,” he apologized to Madrid fans. He won two La Liga titles and a Champions League medal, but played minimal roles in those triumphs. The player Chelsea sold for €100m never materialized in Spain.
The retirement decision: Walking away at 32
Image Source: MARCA
Why Hazard chose to retire early
Real Madrid terminated eden hazard footballer’s contract one year early in summer 2023. Free to join any club, he received offers from MLS and the Saudi Pro League but turned them down. “I always said that I would stop as soon as I didn’t have fun on the pitch anymore,” he explained. The decision came down to a simple reality: he no longer enjoyed training and wasn’t playing anymore.
Money wasn’t a motivator. “I didn’t want to go play somewhere for the money,” he stated. He briefly considered joining Christian Benteke in Washington but dismissed the idea. Moving his family for a paycheck held no appeal. “I didn’t want to leave just to make money and wonder why I did it two or three weeks later,” he said.
The final season struggles
His final campaign at hazard real madrid was barely noticeable. He managed just 395 minutes of action across the entire season. On May 13, his last appearance came in a 1-0 win against Getafe. He played an hour without recording a shot or creating a single chance.
Announcing retirement after leaving Real Madrid
In October 2023, eden hazard announced his retirement at age 32. “After 16 years and more than 700 matches played, I have decided to end my career as a professional footballer,” he wrote on Instagram. “I am at peace with myself. I’m happy,” he told L’Avenir. Football stopped being fun, consequently he walked away.
Life lessons from Hazard’s career about knowing when to quit
Recognizing when you’ve reached your peak
Hazard’s Chelsea years showed me what peak performance looks like. You know you’ve hit a plateau when growth stops and challenges disappear. The median tenure in any position hovers around four years. If you’re no longer learning or feeling engaged, you’re likely past your peak.
Understanding that not all dreams work out as planned
His Real Madrid move taught me that not every dream materializes as imagined. Walking away from unattainable goals prevents you from banging your head against the wall. Many dreams are romanticized, and the fantasy version rarely matches reality. Success doesn’t lie in sticking to everything but in picking the right things to stick to.
Prioritizing personal wellbeing over external expectations
When you feel constantly drained or unmotivated, it signals something deeper. Prioritizing mental health isn’t a luxury but necessary for sustainable success. Your wellbeing matters more than others’ expectations of what you should accomplish.
Accepting reality without regret
Acceptance doesn’t mean you like what happened. It simply means acknowledging things as they are. Reality is neither good nor bad, it just is. Accepting outcomes without judgment brings more peace than fighting circumstances you cannot change.
Knowing your worth and walking away with dignity
Leaving honorably matters because you might need those connections later. Your attitude when departing defines who you are. Walking away requires more strength than staying in a situation that no longer serves you.
Conclusion
Eden Hazard’s journey showed me that success isn’t just about achievement but also about knowing your limits. Undeniably, walking away from Real Madrid at 32 took more courage than the €100 million move itself. His story reminds me that recognizing when something no longer serves you isn’t failure. You can achieve greatness, face setbacks, and still choose peace over persistence. Sometimes the bravest decision is simply walking away with your dignity intact.
FAQs
Q1. What were the main reasons behind Eden Hazard’s early retirement at age 32? Hazard retired because football was no longer enjoyable for him. After his contract with Real Madrid was terminated in 2023, he received offers from MLS and Saudi leagues but declined them all. He stated that he always knew he would stop playing when he no longer had fun on the pitch, and after years of injuries and limited playing time, he simply wasn’t enjoying training or playing anymore.
Q2. How successful was Eden Hazard during his time at Chelsea? Hazard had an exceptional seven-year spell at Chelsea, making 352 appearances and scoring 110 goals across all competitions. He won two Premier League titles (2015, 2017), two Europa League trophies, an FA Cup, and a League Cup. He was named PFA Players’ Player of the Year in 2015 and won Chelsea’s Player of the Year award four times, breaking Frank Lampard’s record.
Q3. Why did Eden Hazard’s Real Madrid transfer fail to meet expectations? Despite joining Real Madrid for €100 million in 2019, Hazard’s time in Spain was plagued by persistent injuries, particularly to his ankle. He arrived overweight and suffered multiple setbacks including ankle fractures requiring surgery. Over four years, he managed only 76 appearances with just 7 goals, a stark contrast to his prolific Chelsea career where he rarely missed matches due to injury.
Q4. How does Eden Hazard compare to Lionel Messi in terms of dribbling ability? While Lionel Messi leads in successful dribbles with over 2,500 completed since 2006-07, Eden Hazard ranks second with 1,285 completed dribbles. During his Premier League career, Hazard completed 909 dribbles, the most in the league during his time there, and averaged 3.7 dribbles per game in his final Chelsea season, more than any other player.
Q5. What made Eden Hazard’s farewell to Chelsea so memorable? Hazard’s departure from Chelsea was marked by a heartfelt, genuine farewell letter where he expressed his deep connection to the club and fans. He scored twice in his final match, the 2019 Europa League final against Arsenal, providing a perfect send-off. His farewell message emphasized that Chelsea would always be special to him and that he had loved every moment at the club, making it one of the most emotional player departures in recent memory.
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