Eden Hazard and 7 Other Top Football Stars Who Retired Too Early

• Eden Hazard announced his retirement from football at the age of only 32
• The Belgian star has been without a club since leaving Real Madrid in June
• He will go down in the history books among footballers who retired too soon

Eden Hazard’s announcement that he would retire from football at 32 has put him on the unwanted list of stars who hung up their boots a bit early for fans’ liking.

After years of injury troubles and a loss of form, the Belgian announced on Tuesday, October 10, that he would be stepping down as a professional footballer.

It marked the end of an era for a player who was once considered among the best in the world, possibly in the realm of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

After Hazard's retirement announcement, Sports Brief looks at some other modern football stars who quit too early when they might have been able to go on a bit longer.

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1. Sergio Aguero

There is no doubt Aguero is a Manchester City legend, but how the Argentine ended his career was tragic.

He joined Barcelona in 2021 but barely got to play for the Catalan giants as a heart condition forced him into retirement at only 33, as per Sky Sports.

2. Patrick Kluivert

The older football fans will remember this one. Kluivert was a formidable force in attack on his day and famously scored the winner for Ajax in a 1-0 victory over Juventus in the 1995 Champions League final, as cited by UEFA.

At Barcelona, he scored 15 goals or more in six straight campaigns but he cut short his career in 2008, aged 32. His last professional stint was with French side, Lille.

3. Eric Cantona

The ‘Class of 92’ legend was a crucial part of Sir Alex Ferguson’s early success at Manchester United, inspiring the Red Devils to four Premier League titles.

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However, Cantona hung his boots aged 30 in 1997, revealing in a statement that he wanted 'to do other things'.

4. Zinedine Zidane

Who can forget the infamous incident between Zinedine Zidane and Marco Materazzi at the 2006 World Cup?

Sadly, the headbutt incident proved to be one of the final contributions by the French midfield maestro in professional football as he would retire soon after, aged 34.

5. Gareth Bale

One of the quickest and most talented wingers in modern football broke many fans’ hearts after announcing his retirement from the sport on January 9 after the 2022 World Cup.

It was news many fans had expected from Bale, who appeared to have lost his passion in the build-up to his decision.

6. Frank Rijkaard

Rijkaard was also part of Ajax's Champions League-winning team. The 1995 final happened to be his last match as a professional footballer as he retired at the tender age of 32.

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7. Michel Platini

The three-time Ballon d’Or winner, between 1983 and 1985, retired from football in June 1987 around the same time he turned 32.

His retirement did not make sense for many as the French star was perceived to be at the peak of his powers, having won the Euro 1984 with his country.

When Mourinho gave warning about Hazard

Sports Brief also reported on how Jose Mourinho predicted Eden Hazard’s early retirement with a statement eight years ago.

At the time, the then-Chelsea manager expressed his concern at how opponents tended to 'kick at' the Belgian in his prime.

Hazard scored 110 goals in 352 appearances for the Blues before making a major (and ultimately failed) switch to Real Madrid.