Hazard rejected £50m-a-year contract before retiring claims ex-Chelsea team-mate

Eden Hazard rejected an offer worth £50million-a-year from Saudi Arabia according to ex-Chelsea team-mate John Obi Mikel.

The 32-year-old announced his retirement from football last month admitting that he "stopped at the right time" in a professional career that spanned 16 years. He enjoyed a seven-year stint with the Premier League giants where he established himself as one of the best players in the world.

He earned a £88million transfer to Real Madrid in 2019 but the dream move soon turned into a nightmare as Hazard struggled with injury, playing just 22 games in his first season and scoring once.

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He ended his tenure in Spain with 10 appearances last season as the Spanish giants released their once big-money signing in what was a hugely disappointing spell for Hazard. Despite reports that the former winger had several suitors across the globe, he decided to call time on his career as according to John Obi Mikel, the Belgian was subject to a £50m-a-year offer from an unnamed Saudi Pro League club.

"'[Hazard asked] Should I go to Saudi Arabia, where I’m going to take a million a week and then what?"' the ex-Nigerian international said on Rio Ferdinand's Vibe with Five YouTube show. '"I got about two or three offers to go to Saudi Arabia".

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"He said, 'Mikel, I’ve got a lot of money. You know how I live my life. I don’t spend too much money. So, I have money now to live with my family and to bring up [my children]'. He's instead sailed off into the sunset following his poignant retirement speech that read: "You must listen to yourself and say stop at the right time."

"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.

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"During my career I was lucky to meet great managers, coaches and teammates – thank you to everyone for these great times, I will miss you all."

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