Hazard’s Retirement Reaffirms Talent Doesn’t Always Equal Longevity
Eden Hazard’s retirement from football is perhaps a sad reminder that talent is only one piece of the puzzle for any athlete.
The Belgian superstar announced he was hanging up his boots this week at the age of just 32. A startingly young age for someone who was spearheading Chelsea’s attack just five years ago.
To say hopes were high when Hazard made his £88.5m move to Real Madrid would be an understatement. Los Blancos were finally filling the Cristiano Ronaldo shaped void that had appeared the year previously.
We all know now that things did not pan out as expected. How could it be that a light that once shone so bright could fade with such a whimper?
If there was one criticism that seemed to follow Hazard throughout his career, it was his dedication to training.
His former coach, Jose Mourinho, may have summed it up best during an interview with TalkSport.
“The truth is what you see from him, he is an amazing player with awful training.
“You can only imagine what he could be with a super professional attitude in training.”
We are living in a time where players are managing to stay at the highest level for longer than ever before. Cristiano Ronaldo, the man Hazard came in to replace, continues to break records as he gets ever closer to 40 years of age. Former teammates Luka Modric and Karim Benzema are two of the oldest Ballon d’Or winners in history. Yes, these are examples of very special players, but so was Hazard.
The way these players conducted themselves off the pitch differed to that of the Belgian. The stories about Ronaldo’s daily routine, which is designed to optimise his condition, are urban legend. Multiple naps a day and daily training outside of his football club. Set nutritious meals. Hazard just didn’t share that mentality.
When he moved to Madrid, he showed up overweight. He even said so himself. He told L’Equipe: “I’m not going to hide it, but when I’m on vacation, I’m on vacation. I had put on 5 kilos.”
It doesn’t matter who you are, when you are on holiday, the last thing you want to think about is work. However, these are the fine margins that contribute to an athlete’s longevity.
For example, it is becoming more common place for footballers to embark on their own ‘pre pre-season’ away from their clubs. These training camps are where they prepare for the rigorous start when they return. Marcus Rashford explained this very concept to Gary Neville on The Overlap.
It is players who put in these extra yards to maintain their fitness who are able to extend their career for longer. Ryan Giggs swore by yoga to help him play until his forties. James Milner became famed for winning Liverpool’s brutal lactate test every year he was at the club. He continues to feature regularly in the Premier League at 37.
These are brilliant players. Yet most might argue that they are a step or two below Hazard in natural ability. After all, at his peak, very few were better.
The Chelsea legend is not the only player of his ilk to bite this very bullet. There are plenty others. These drop offs don’t just happen overnight. It was a build-up of unprofessional behaviour coming back to bite them.
Take Wayne Rooney. A fabulous player. Creating memories for fans since he was 16 with his phenomenal talent. Take a look at what he said about returning to Manchester United one pre-season in his second book.
“When I get back to Carrington for the day of work, I’m in for a shock.
“I’ve put on a few more pounds than expected.”
This is eerily similar to what Hazard said about himself when he first got to Spain. Rooney left topflight football to move to the MLS at 33. Just one year older than Hazard. Very similar stories with very similar outcomes.
As the intensity of football continues to increase, this is bound not to be the last example of a supremely talented player’s body giving up on them before it should.
However, as athletes become more robotic, it makes people like Hazard all the more enjoyable.
We may not get to see them at the top for as long. But, in the shorter time we do, they give us awe inspiring moments we will carry for a lifetime.
