A former Chelsea wonderkid who was seen as a potential successor to Eden Hazard has hung up his boots aged 28 after a career ravaged by injuries.
The Belgian joined Chelsea’s youth system in 2012 with his two older brothers after being linked with Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Hazard was a mentor and a ‘good friend’ to the young winger growing up but he would only go on to make seven senior appearances for the Blues.
Chelsea sent him out on loan to Real Betis, Celtic, and Vitesse before he eventually left for Spanish second-tier Levante in 2022 – and made a first outing in over 1,000 days there.
The player in question is Charly Musonda, whose last game was in January last year for Cypriot side Anorthosis Famagusta.
Despite being tipped for big things, he only managed 74 appearances and two goals across his career.
Former Chelsea wonderkid Charly Musonda has hung up his boots aged 28 after injuries
He was once tipped to the next Eden Hazard and spoke of how the Belgian was a mentor to him
Knee injuries saw him miss three years of his career and he only made 63 appearances in total
Knee injuries and surgery him ruled out for a total of three years and stunted his growth, which had begun so promisingly as he represented Belgium at under-21s level.
Sometimes his talent even got him on the wrong side of his own team-mates.
In 2015, when he was 19, he got involved in an alleged training ground bust-up with none other than Cesc Fabregas.
The Spain midfielder reacted angrily after Musonda flicked the ball over his head before nutmegging him in training.
Fabregas then unleashed a heavy challenge on him which sparked a melee among the squad and forced heated words between the two.
Announcing his retirement on Monday, Musonda told the Rising Ballers podcast: ‘I’ve got a big announcement today.
‘It’s not easy but it’s something I’ve been thinking about for a long time. After reflecting on my experiences and who I am, I’ve realised I want to live with purpose to inspire and motivate others.’
He also said on his Chelsea exit: ‘The exit killed me. It killed me mentally. It was the worst thing.
The former Belgium Under-21s international pictured with Chelsea legend Didier Drogba
Musonda rubbed shoulders with Ronaldinho as he progressed with promise as a youngster
He only managed seven outings for Chelsea and had loan at Real Betis, Celtic, and Vitesse
‘I was obviously with the reserves at that time so the plan was to pick up with the reserves, get some training in and if there were a few games where I could fit in toward the back end of the season, that was the plan.
‘Because I literally had just gotten better. I came back in December-January and was training with the reserves.
‘Feeling amazing, happy to be back – obviously it was a long way for me to be fully fit, but just being able to train was amazing.
‘The first team was doing really well. It was COVID, so the buildings were split and you wouldn’t really see the first team.
‘Then toward the back end of the season in the car park I ran into Thomas Tuchel, the manager.
‘They were getting ready for the semi-final of the Champions League and he just said, ‘How are you feeling? How are things going?.
‘It was my first time meeting him. He said, ‘I’m looking forward to seeing you back and I said, ‘Don’t worry, I’ll be back for pre-season.
‘Because in my mind, it was always pre-season and I’d be back with the first team and we’d see from there.
Musonda celebrates after winning the UEFA Youth League with Izzy Brown (centre) and Tammy Abraham (right) in 2015, seven years before leaving the club permanently for Levante
The Belgian star had an alleged fallout with Cesc Fabregas after nutmegging him in training
‘So I came back for pre-season and that’s where things got tricky. That was the end of my time at Chelsea.’
He also wrote on Instagram: ‘This is not goodbye, but a new beginning, one where hopefully I can help play a small part in making the world better for footballers.
‘Thank you and see you soon with a football always.’
