Former Chelsea wonderkid Charly Musonda has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 28, bringing a heartbreaking end to a career once brimming with promise.

Touted in his teenage years as the next Eden Hazard, Musonda was considered one of Chelsea’s most exciting young prospects. However, his journey was derailed by a series of injuries and loan moves that never allowed him to fully fulfil his potential.

In an emotional video shared by Rising Ballers, the Belgian forward confirmed his decision to walk away from the game. “It’s not easy but it’s something I’ve been thinking about for a long time,” Musonda said. “After reflecting on my experiences and who I am, I’ve realised I want to live with purpose to inspire and motivate others.”

Musonda admitted that his departure from Chelsea, the club where he had hoped to make his breakthrough, had a devastating impact on him mentally. “The exit killed me. It killed me mentally. It was the worst thing,” he confessed.

Recounting the final stages of his Chelsea career, Musonda explained how he was recovering with the reserves and had hopes of making a return. He detailed a chance meeting with then-manager Thomas Tuchel toward the end of the 2020-21 season.

“I ran into Thomas Tuchel in the car park. They were getting ready for the Champions League semi-final. He just said, ‘How are you feeling? How are things going?’ I told him I’d be back for pre-season. That was always the plan in my mind. But when pre-season came, that was the end of my time at Chelsea.”

Despite the setbacks, Musonda is determined to turn his struggles into something positive. “I want to do things with purpose. I want to inspire people and create opportunities. I’m still young but I want to help players who don’t have the chance to showcase their talent. I know how it feels.”

Musonda’s career included loan spells at Real Betis, Celtic, and Vitesse Arnhem, where he showed glimpses of his talent but was often sidelined by injury. He made just seven senior appearances for Chelsea.

His retirement marks the end of a football journey that once carried the weight of great expectations. Yet Musonda’s desire to help the next generation shows that while his playing career may be over, his impact on the game is far from finished.