The Belgian winger has had a challenging stint at the Santiago Bernabeu since his transfer from Chelsea in 2019, and his departure comes after a season plagued by injuries and limited playing time.
The decision to part ways was reportedly driven by the club
Real Madrid has officially announced that Eden Hazard will be leaving the club at the end of the season, as they have mutually agreed to terminate his contract a year earlier than expected. The Belgian winger has had a challenging stint at the Santiago Bernabeu since his transfer from Chelsea in 2019, and his departure comes after a season plagued by injuries and limited playing time. The decision to part ways was reportedly driven by the club, who have been keen to offload Hazard, although the player had expressed his desire to remain in Madrid despite his lack of opportunities.
Real Madrid issued a statement expressing gratitude to Hazard for his four seasons at the club, during which they achieved considerable success, winning eight titles together. These include one UEFA Champions League trophy, one FIFA Club World Cup, one UEFA Super Cup, two La Liga titles, one Copa del Rey, and two Spanish Super Cups. The club wished Hazard and his family well for their future endeavours. The departure of Hazard, who was earning a substantial weekly salary of €600,000 (£530,000/$640,000), raises questions about the next destination in his football career. While there is uncertainty surrounding his future, there have been suggestions from sources such as Relevo and The Athletic that Hazard might consider retirement after his Madrid contract expires next year.
The relationship between Hazard and manager Carlo Ancelotti has been reported as strained, and even his teammate, Toni Kroos, admitted to not sympathizing with Hazard’s situation. Despite these challenges, Hazard’s time at Real Madrid will be remembered for his contributions to the team’s success on the domestic and international fronts.