Former Real Madrid and Chelsea star Eden Hazard announces retirement

Former Chelsea and Real Madrid winger Eden Hazard announced his retirement from football on Tuesday.

Hazard, 32, was a free agent after leaving Real Madrid this summer and the former Belgium captain posted on social media that he has decided to hang up his boots.

"You must listen to yourself and say stop at the right time," Hazard wrote on Instagram. "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."

Hazard made his senior debut for Ligue 1 side Lille in 2007 having spent two years in their academy. He soon emerged as a key player for the club and was a star in their 2010/11 domestic double season, scoring 12 goals and providing 14 assists.

After 50 goals and 53 assists in 194 appearances for Lille – during which time he was twice named Ligue 1 Player of the Year – Hazard joined Chelsea in 2012 and established himself as one of the leading players in the Premier League.

During seven seasons at Stamford Bridge, Hazard led Chelsea to six major trophies – two Premier League titles, an FA Cup, a League Cup, and two Europa League titles – scoring 110 goals and assisting 92 more in 352 games. In 2015, Hazard won a hat-trick of individual domestic awards: FWA Footballer of the Year, Premier League Player of the Season and PFA Players' Player of the Year.

At the height of his status as one of the world's leading footballers, Hazard sealed a €100 million move to Real Madrid in 2019 but his time in Spain was blighted by injury, and he was