Featured Image Credit: Getty / TNT Sports
Topics: Chelsea, Eden Hazard, Real Madrid
Ryan Smart
Eden Hazard announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 32 on Monday - and one tackle caused him major issues at Real Madrid.
The Belgian winger had his best footballing days at Chelsea, where he won two Premier League titles and two Europa League titles.
He also scored 110 goals for the club across a seven-year spell, in which he captivated English football fans with his close control and trickery, as well as his innate ability to find the back of the net.
Hazard earned a dream move to Real Madrid in 2019, but his time at the Bernabeu effectively signalled the end of his career.
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The 32-year-old was beset by injury problems ever since his move to Madrid, and scored just four league goals during his time in Spain.
After his release in June, Hazard had several offers to restart his career elsewhere, but took the decision to retire entirely from professional football.
During a Champions League fixture against PSG in 2019, Hazard was on the end of a tackle by Les Parisiens defender Thomas Meunier, which caused him to suffer a microfracture in his ankle. It was an ankle he had previously broken while at Chelsea.
The tackle was very much innocuous, with the Belgian defender attempting to win the ball. But the consequences for Hazard ended up being significant.
Hazard was the best player on the pitch that night against PSG, but his momentum was quickly derailed.
He ended up missing three months due to the injury, before suffering a broken fibula upon his return.
He had surgery on his ankle in March 2020, and according to ESPN, it is understood that a string of injuries he later suffered were in connection with that surgery.
In a post on Instagram announcing his retirement, Hazard wrote: "You must listen to yourself and stay 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 team-mates. Thank you to everyone for these great times, I will miss you all."
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