Eden Hazard is reportedly considering retiring from professional football following his release from Real Madrid, despite an offer from a Major League Soccer club.
The Belgian forward’s contract at Santiago Bernabeu was terminated by mutual consent at the end of this season. The agreement was brought to a close 12 months earlier than planned following a forgettable four seasons in Spain.
The 32-year-old registered just seven goals and nine assists in 76 appearances for Los Blancos since signing from Chelsea for €100 million (£86m/$107m) in 2019. Before moving to Spain, Hazard established a reputation as one of the best players on the planet.
But he struggled for form and fitness throughout his time at the Bernabeu.
With Real now moving in a different direction, they decided to let Hazard go, but with compensation. Although the 32-year-old was prepared to walk away from Madrid with nothing after failing to live up to the club’s lofty expectations, the Spanish giants agreed to a compensation package with him.
And now, according to Spanish publication Marca, Hazard is mulling over his options. Retiring from professional football is one of his options as he weighs whether he has the appetite for another new challenge.
There are opportunities for him to play, with Major League Soccer (MLS) side the Vancouver Whitecaps, one of the teams credited with an interest in him. According to Marca, the Canadian side already has a proposal for the talented Belgian winger.
But it remains to be seen whether Hazard has enough motivation to play on after his Madrid hell.