Mikel Obi says Eden Hazard turned down a massive transfer offer from Saudi Arabia before retiring
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Mikel Obi opens up on Hazard's rejected move to Saudi Arabia || Credit: Imago

Mikel Obi says Eden Hazard turned down a massive transfer offer from Saudi Arabia before retiring

Stephen Oladehinde 17:38 - 20.11.2023

John Obi Mikel has revealed that Chelsea legend Eden Hazard rejected an offer of £1 million a week from Saudi Arabian clubs before deciding to retire.

After 16 years as a professional, the Belgian announced last month that he was hanging up his boots.

Hazard's body broke down frequently, so throughout the course of four seasons, he only played 76 games for the Spanish giants.

His retirement came after a torturous four years at Real Madrid during which he suffered injuries on a regular basis.

Eden Hazard at Real Madrid || Credit: Imago
Eden Hazard at Real Madrid || Credit: Imago

Hazard’s offer from Saud Arabia

His former teammate Mikel Obi has opened up on the multiple attractive offers from Saudi Arabia Hazard received despite his fitness issues.

After five seasons at Stamford Bridge with Hazard, Mikel has finally provided an explanation of the forward's reasoning behind his choice.

Mikel Obi playing as a defensive midfielder for Chelsea in the Champions League final || Credit: Planet Football
Mikel Obi playing as a defensive midfielder for Chelsea in the Champions League final || Credit: Planet Football

Speaking on Rio Ferdinand's Vibe With Five as reported by the Sun, he said Hazard asked him, “Should I go to Saudi Arabia, where I’m going to take a million a week, and then what? I got about two or three offers to go to Saudi Arabia.

“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].”

Despite several of the top names in the world making a move to Saudi Arabia, such as Karim Benzema, Neymar, and Cristiano Ronaldo, Hazard rejected the move.

At Chelsea, Hazard won two Premier League titles, the FA Cup, the League Cup, and two Europa Leagues before making his big-money move to Real Madrid

Although he had a difficult time in the Spanish capital, he managed to win the Champions League, a Copa del Rey, and two La Liga titles.