Super Eagles striker, Terem Moffi, has expressed his admiration for Eden Hazard, the ex-Real Madrid and Chelsea winger who hung up his boots on Tuesday.
Hazard, 32, ended his illustrious career after a disappointing spell at Real Madrid, where he joined from Chelsea in 2019 for a whopping £89m. He only made 54 appearances in the league for the Spanish club and left at the end of last season.
He had a glorious time at Chelsea, where he won two Premier League titles and was named the PFA Players’ Player of the Year in 2014-15.
Moffi reposted a post by the Premier League’s X account, which celebrated Hazard’s achievements in England. Moffi wrote: “Baller”, acknowledging the Belgian’s exceptional skills on the pitch.
Hazard also retired from international football in December last year, after being part of the Belgium squad that failed to progress beyond the group stage of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
He made his debut for his country in 2008 at the age of 17, and went on to earn 126 caps, scoring 33 goals. He captained his team 56 times and led them to the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup. He announced his decision to quit international football on his Instagram account, thanking his fans for their love and support.
He 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.
“I was able to realise my dream, I have
played and had fun on
many pitches around the world.
“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.
“Now is the time to enjoy my loved ones and have new experiences. See you off the field soon my friends.”
Hazard started his career with Lille in France, where he scored 50 goals in 149 games and helped them win a domestic double of Ligue 1 and the Coupe de France in 2010-11.
He moved to Chelsea in the summer of 2012, signing for a reported £32m and became one of the club’s legends, scoring 110 goals in 352 games for the Blues.
He scored the winner in the 2019 Europa League final against Arsenal in his last game for the club.
He is also one of only four players in Premier League history – alongside Thierry Henry, Matt Le Tissier and Eric Cantona – to score 15 or more goals and provide 15 or more assists in a single season, having netted 16 times and laid on 15 assists during the 2018-19 campaign.