Fans tell Eden Hazard he is ‘the reason they fell in love with the game’ and brand him ‘the best dribbler the Premier League has ever seen’, as supporters pay homage to Belgian after retiring at 32
- Hazard had been without a club after Real Madrid released him in the summer
- Former team-mate Juan Mata described him as ‘one of the best’ on social media
- Listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s podcast ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’
Football fans have shared their praise for ‘one of the greatest’ Premier League footballers of all time on social media and claimed Eden Hazard is ‘the reason they fell in love with the game’.
Earlier today, the Belgian international announced his retirement from professional football via a post on social media.
The 32-year-old has been without a club since he was released by Spanish giants Real Madrid in the summer, having made just 76 appearances for the club.
Former team-mates and football stars poured in their tributes for the former Chelsea player, with Juan Mata calling him ‘one of the best’ and Frank Lampard saying: ‘It was a pleasure to play with you.’
Now fans have taken to social media to thank Hazard for giving them ‘so much joy over the years’ and being ‘truly magical’.
Eden Hazard scored 110 goals for Chelsea across 352 appearances and won two league titles
Football fans poured in praise for ‘one of the greatest Premier league footballers of all time’
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One person wrote on X: ‘Eden Hazard. Not many players are “Must watch TV” but he fit that description perfectly. The best dribbler I’ve seen consistently in the Prem. One of the guaranteed players to turn up against my club.’
Another said: ‘If you love good football then you enjoyed Eden Hazard. Don’t let the last few years fool you, he’s going down as one of the greatest.’
A Chelsea fan said: ‘Thank you to the player who gave me so much joy ever since I was a little kid, the reason I truly fell in love with the beautiful game.
‘Watching you week in week out for our club was a true honour, the most talented football I’ve ever seen. #ThankYouEden’
Another added: ‘Thank you for all the joy you brought me over the years, Hazard. I’ll never forget the magical stuff you did on the grass week in, week out.
‘You were the best I’ve ever seen wearing a blue. It was a true honour, champ. Thanks for all. Once a blue, always a blue!’
A fifth wrote: ‘Hated him for his goals against arsenal but a fine player, he was…’
Another commented: ‘Eden Hazard is a true genius and was a joy to watch. An amazing player and an amazing career.
One fan described the Belgian as a ‘true genius’ while another said he is the ‘best dribbler ever’
The 32-year-old has been without a club since he was released by Real Madrid in the summer
One fan wrote on social media that Hazard was ‘the best dribbler I’ve seen in the Prem League’
‘But a part of me will always feel that we never got to witness him play at his highest potential.’
Following his Madrid departure, a return to elite-level football looked to be off the cards as Hazard made multiple suggestions he may hang up his boots for good.
The winger did reportedly have some English clubs interested in him after leaving Madrid, but concerns about his fitness seemed to be a major barrier.
And now, via a lengthy post on his Instagram page, the former Chelsea star has confirmed his decision to retire from the game for good.
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