An open letter to Chelsea legend Eden Hazard after announcing his retirement
Oh, Eden.
Why did it have to be this way?
We probably both knew it would come to this, but I don’t think either of us really believed it. After all, you were the best in the world that day. And there were so many such days.
Just being able to see your talent, creativity and skills on the football pitch has brought joy not only to me, but to millions of fans around the world.
You arrived at the club when I was just 11 and, although I was lucky enough to grow up watching the likes of Frank Lampard, John Terry and Didier Drogba put the ball in the net for so many of my generation, you were that legend.
That name on the back of every shirt we bought every season, the face on the posters on our walls, our favorite collectible Match Attax card.
When you were on the pitch, I thought Chelsea could never lose.
You can always invent something: a crazy run, a brilliantly crafted finish, an expert pass.
You had it all, more than I could appreciate at that age.
As a true artist with the ball at his feet, your exploits have left an indelible mark on the history of the sport.
Your presence on the pitch was always a source of inspiration to those young players and fans who aspired to one day be where you were.
But now that I’m an adult, and as I sit here writing this, I truly understand what football has lost when you retire. I actually feel sorry for those who never saw you play with their own eyes, never saw the magic you constantly conjured up on the pitch.
Time is often something people can never truly understand, an elegant concept over which we have no control, an incredibly deep and complex subject that we don’t truly understand.
But somehow, when you had the ball at your feet, none of that applied.
You can pause, fast forward and rewind at your discretion.
From the first penalty against Newcastle in front of the Shed End to the final tap-in against Arsenal in Baku, it has certainly been a wild ride.
You basically won it all for us, and sometimes it seemed like you could do it on your own. After all, THAT crushing goal against Liverpool could prove it to us.
The goal that reflects your individual brilliance more than any other will always be *the* goal against Arsenal.
I’m sure you remember it quite well. I know many of us do.
February 4, 2017.
Having collected the ball in your own half, the incredible solo shot that sent Francis Coquelin to his backside left you free to expose Laurent Koscielny and Petr Cech with a cheeky dent on both of them – all resulting in one of the most satisfying knees bridge has ever seen.
But it wasn’t just your moments on the pitch, but off it too. The laughter when Branislav Ivanovic tries to speak English to fans while filming a charity video, Antonio Rudiger begging him to stay after winning the FA Cup in 2018, when all you could talk about was your next holiday, the Hilarious photo of you wearing Cech.
his hat.
All of this has culminated in the greatest footballer Stamford Bridge has seen in the last ten years.
I understand that you have faced some of the most difficult challenges and setbacks throughout your career, especially in recent years due to injuries.
And not to take away the pain you felt, but as a fan it was painful to see the end of your career come with so many costs. We all wished you well when you left Stamford Bridge for the last time to play in Spain, and we welcomed you with open arms when you returned with Real Madrid in the Champions League.
Unfortunately I don’t have to tell you that your last years have not been those of the Eden Hazard of before.
But there’s nothing to be ashamed of.
It just has to be accepted as part of life.
Everyone has their ups and downs and we were all lucky to share those moments with you.
Part of me thinks the swan song would have been perfect: it didn’t even have to be with the blues. Take your talent to an emerging scene, or maybe even play in the MLS at Inter Miami with Lionel Messi and company.
I hear the weather is pretty nice in Miami, even this time of year.
But of course I know that making the decision to continue playing and return to the game now, even in a different role, is a very personal decision and should not be taken lightly or hastily.
I have no doubt that your experience and expertise will be invaluable in guiding and mentoring young talent of the future, whether in the form of coaching, mentoring or football administration.
The world of football would undoubtedly benefit from your continued commitment and wisdom.
While respecting your decision, I sincerely hope that you will consider it and explore the opportunities that remain open to you in football.
Their return, whether to Chelsea or elsewhere, would certainly be cause for celebration and a moment of joy for fans around the world. But as you said in the ad, you have to listen to yourself and say “stop” at the right time.
So when the banner with your name, your number and your face is raised in the Matthew Harding Lower against Arsenal, we know that your passion, your spirit, your essence will be in every one of those players on that pitch.
They will try to take all three points against a bitter rival that you have often made look so easy, with everyone who has come and will give the millions who cheered your name exactly the same smiles and laughter.
I think I speak for those millions when I wish you the best of luck in your next adventures in life and thank you so much for every memory we cherish from your career.
