Super Eagles star pays tribute to Eden Hazard as Chelsea great announces retirement from football

Super Eagles striker Terem Moffi has paid his respect to Eden Hazard after the former Chelsea icon announced his retirement from football, Soccernet.ng reports.

Former Chelsea star Eden Hazard officially retired from professional football at the age of 32 on Tuesday, October 10.

Moffi, who plays for OGC Nice in France, took to the social media site X (formerly Twitter) to show his admiration for one of the most gifted players from Belgium.

Quoting a post from the Premier League’s official X account revealing Hazard’s decision to hang his football boots, Moffi wrote “Baller” – an acknowledgment of the Belgian’s footballing talents.

Hazard retires

The news comes after Hazard’s tumultuous stint with Real Madrid, which saw him struggle with injuries and form during his time in Spain.

The Belgian winger, who joined Real Madrid from Chelsea in 2019 for a staggering £89 million, played just 54 league games for the Spanish giants before parting ways with the club at the end of last season.

Despite his limited appearances, Hazard managed to add some notable silverware to his collection, including the UEFA Champions League, a Club World Cup, a European Super Cup, two La Liga titles, one Copa del Rey, and two Spanish Super Cups.

Reflecting on his decision to retire, Hazard stated, “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.”

This announcement follows his earlier retirement from international football in December, shortly after Belgium’s early exit from the 2022 World Cup.

Hazard originally began his career with Lille, helping the French club to secure a domestic double of Ligue 1 and the Coupe de France in 2010-11.

His move to Chelsea in 2012 for a reported £32 million marked the start of an illustrious spell with the Blues.

Hazard made 352 appearances for Chelsea, scoring 110 goals, and was pivotal in their Premier League successes. He was even awarded the PFA Players’ Player of the Year in 2014-15.

Hazard’s illustrious career also saw him achieve a rare feat in the Premier League, joining the exclusive club of players such as Thierry Henry, Matt Le Tissier, and Eric Cantona who scored 15 or more goals and provided 15 or more assists in a single season.

His performance during the 2018-19 campaign, with 16 goals and 15 assists, solidified his place in Premier League history.

Taking to social media, Hazard expressed his gratitude to those who have been part of his journey, stating, “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.”

He also thanked the clubs he represented, including LOSC, Chelsea, and Real Madrid, along with his fans for their unwavering support.

Hazard leaves behind a remarkable international legacy as well, earning 126 caps for Belgium and scoring 33 goals. He featured prominently in three World Cups and two European Championships, serving as the team’s captain 56 times.