Former Chelsea and Real Madrid icon Eden Hazard has officially put an end to a long-running Rangers saga as he retires from playing football.
The 32-year-old attacker has taken to Instagram to announce his retirement from the beautiful game following his release from Real Madrid in the summer.
Rangers were one of a number of clubs linked to Eden Hazard but as he retires fans have been reflecting on an impressive career which saw him reach the top of the game with Lille, Chelsea, Real Madrid and the Belgian national team.
“You must listen to yourself and stay stop at the right time,” an emotional Eden Hazard posted on Instagram.
“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 team-mates – thank you to everyone for these great times, I will miss you all.”
Rangers murmurs go quiet as Eden Hazard retires
As Eden Hazard retires, some Rangers fans might be chuckling quietly to themselves at the suggestion there was a chance the winger might rock up at Ibrox.
This is after all one of football’s most well-known attacking talents and someone who’d been playing at the Bernabéu in the seasons before his release.
But whilst a move to Ibrox never seemed likely, initial rumours were even brought to the club’s attention by the reputable Stevie Clifford of Four Lads Had a Dream.
Whilst these suggestions were laughed out of Ibrox, they aren’t the only ones which had people potentially thinking Eden Hazard might’ve wound up at Rangers before he retires.
Reports in AS Diario in Spain had claimed that there were offers on the table from “United States, Saudi Arabia, England, Spain, France and even Scotland”.
Given it could only be one of two clubs up here, and that Rangers were routinely mentioned, you never know if we at least floated the question!
