Eden Hazard is ‘seriously considering retirement’ when his deal at Real Madrid expires, according to reports in Spain, as he continues to be frozen out.
The 32-year-old Belgium international, who joined Los Blancos from Chelsea in 2019 for a record £88.5 million, has struggled to pin down a regular first-team spot at the Bernabeu.
In fact, Hazard has made just three appearances under Carlo Ancelotti this year, including a promising cameo in their 6-0 win over Real Valladolid last month – his first La Liga appearance since September 11, 2022.
He has since made a brief substitute appearance against Cadiz but ultimately, the experienced winger looks a far cry from the player who ripped up England’s top flight with Chelsea.
So what does the future hold? Well, according to Spanish publication Relevo, the out-of-favour winger is ‘seriously considering hanging up his boots next summer’, when his contract at Madrid runs out.
Hazard feels that he has ‘done everything he could in football’ after achieving his childhood dream of playing in the famous white of Los Blancos.
That being said, the report states that Hazard does not want to close the door on a great offer that allows him to enjoy football again.
In fact, ‘several clubs from the United States and Arab countries’ have contacted their entourage to find out their current situation but nothing has been agreed as of yet.
Back in March, Hazard insisted that he is keen to stay at Madrid beyond this summer and wants to “show that I can still do it” at the top level.
He also added that he ‘respects’ Los Blancos boss Carlo Ancelotti but revealed that they no longer speak with one another in their professional relationship.
“I would like to stay. I’ve always said that. I hope to play and to show that I can still do it,” Hazard told RTBF.
“People have doubts, that’s normal, I understand. But for me, I’m still here next year. You never know, but a transfer is not in my plan.
“There’s respect between Ancelotti and I. But I’m not going to say we talk to each other, because we don’t. But there will always be respect.
“I have to have respect [for] a guy like Ancelotti. For what he represents for football, and for what he’s done in his career.”
Thoughts on reports suggesting Hazard is ‘seriously considering’ retirement next year?
