Featured Image Credit: Getty/UEFA
Topics: Football, Eden Hazard, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Toni Kroos
Chris Byfield
Topics: Football, Eden Hazard, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Toni Kroos
Toni Kroos sent a brutal message to Eden Hazard months before the Belgian’s retirement.
Former Chelsea and Real Madrid star Eden Hazard announced his retirement from football after leaving Los Blancos at the end of last season.
The 32-year-old joined Real from Chelsea in 2019 for £89million, but played on just 54 occasions for the Spanish giants, making only six appearances in 2022-23.
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Hazard is one of the greatest players in Blues history however, having won two Premier League titles during his time at Stamford Bridge, scoring 110 goals across 352 appearances.
Hazard, who has been a free agent since his contract was terminated in June, said: "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."
Despite winning the Champions League, a Club World Cup, a European Super Cup, two La Liga titles, one Copa del Rey and two Spanish Super Cups, Hazard’s time at Real is widely considered disappointing. He scored just 7 goals in 76 appearances in all competitions.
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Former Los Blancos team-mate Kroos hinted as much this summer when speaking of Jude Bellingham’s big-money move to the Spanish capital.
Kroos told his Einfach mal Luppen podcast: “€103million transfer fee? We now also had someone who came for a lot of money and virtually let his career die.
“A lot of money and I think everyone would say in retrospect: That was not such a good transfer. But now let's start from the positive.”
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In a statement on social media, Hazard said: "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.
"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.
"Finally, a huge thank you to you, my fans, who have followed me for all these years and for your encouragement everywhere I have played.
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"Now is the time to enjoy my loved ones and have new experiences. See you off the field soon my friends."
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