Eden Hazard has announced his retirement from football at the age of 32.
The former Belgium international's decision comes after a series of injuries that plagued his career, particularly during his time at Real Madrid.
What happened?
Hazard's move to Real Madrid in 2019 for an initial £89million was expected to be a dream come true, but it turned into a nightmare due to persistent injuries.
He suffered a serious ankle injury in a Champions League game against Paris Saint-Germain on November 26, 2019, which initiated an injury-ravaged four years.
Why it matters for Eden Hazard
Hazard's retirement is a sad day for football, as he was a player who brought joy and excitement to the pitch with his exceptional skills and talent.
He was one of the best players in the world, and his departure from the sport will be deeply felt by fans and fellow players alike.
The fact that Chelsea commanded such an enormous sum for his transfer should always be regarded as an indication of his immense talent.
What comes next?
Hazard will be remembered for his glorious best during his time at Chelsea, where he won numerous titles and individual awards.
He still resides in Madrid, with one of his sons playing in the club's academy, and has expressed no bitterness towards his former club.
And despite his retirement, Hazard's legacy will continue to inspire and influence future generations of football players.
But for now, football fans around the world will have to bid farewell to a truly exceptional player.
So the question on everyone's mind is: what could have been if Hazard had stayed injury-free?
He completed 90 minutes for Real Madrid on just one occasion after that injury against PSG, a testament to the severity of his condition.
In total, he made 76 appearances for Real, of which only 44 were starts, a far cry from his prolific days at Chelsea.