Belgium and Chelsea football legend, Eden Hazard, officially retired from professional football on Tuesday at the age of 32, concluding a remarkable 16-year career. The forward achieved immense success during his time with Lille and Chelsea, although his club career came to an underwhelming conclusion during his stint with Real Madrid.

Hazard shared his thoughts on this milestone decision in an Instagram post, stating, “Listening to your inner voice and knowing when to call it a day is crucial.” After more than 700 matches played over a span of 16 years, Hazard has chosen to retire from professional football. He expressed gratitude for realizing his dreams and relishing the joy of playing on countless pitches worldwide.

Throughout his illustrious career, Hazard had the privilege of working with exceptional managers, coaches, and teammates, and he expressed his appreciation to all of them. He also extended his heartfelt thanks to his three major clubs, Lille, Chelsea, and Real Madrid, as well as the Belgian FA and the national team.

Hazard’s statement continued, acknowledging the unwavering support of his family, friends, advisors, and those who stood by him through thick and thin. He concluded with a massive shout-out to his fans, who have faithfully followed his journey throughout the years. Now, he looks forward to spending quality time with his loved ones and embarking on new adventures.

Hazard’s impressive list of achievements includes five league titles in his career: two with Chelsea, two with Real Madrid, and one with Lille. He also clinched several individual accolades, including the prestigious PFA Player of the Year award for the 2014-15 season.

Additionally, Hazard played a pivotal role in Belgium’s 2018 World Cup campaign, where the team achieved a historic third place finish. The Belgians narrowly lost to eventual champions France in the semifinals.

Both Chelsea and Lille expressed their gratitude and admiration for Hazard’s contributions to the football world. Chelsea, on the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), described him as “a player capable of magic with the ball at his feet” and sent their best wishes for a happy retirement. Lille, on the other hand, paid a touching tribute to their former star, ensuring that Hazard’s brilliance would be etched in their memories forever, hailing him as the “greatest talent to emerge from LOSC.”