Eden Hazard, the renowned Chelsea icon, recently disclosed the only footballer whom he considers superior to himself during his illustrious career.
In an interview with L’Equipe, Hazard conceded that Lionel Messi stands alone as the player who outshone him on the pitch, particularly during Messi’s tenure at Barcelona.
Hazard expressed admiration for Messi’s unparalleled talent and described him as the greatest player in history.
While acknowledging Cristiano Ronaldo’s stature as a larger-than-life figure in football, Hazard asserted that, in terms of pure footballing ability, he does not believe Ronaldo surpasses him.
Neymar, according to Hazard, is another player who could be considered in the same league as himself and Ronaldo. However, Hazard’s assessment indicates that Messi reigns supreme among his peers.
When questioned about Ronaldo’s renowned work ethic and mentality, Hazard expressed a different perspective.
He admitted that adopting Ronaldo’s intense dedication to training and self-improvement would not have suited his own personality.
Hazard prefers a more relaxed approach to his downtime, enjoying leisure activities with friends rather than pushing himself to the limit like Ronaldo.
Addressing criticisms of his fitness during his tenure at Real Madrid, Hazard clarified that he had just come off one of the best seasons of his career with Chelsea and allowed himself to indulge during the summer break before joining Madrid.
He emphasized his enjoyment of the holiday period, including barbecues and wine, after years of rigorous training and commitment in England.
However, he acknowledged that things did not go as planned at Madrid, leading to scrutiny over his fitness and lifestyle choices.
Despite accusations of laziness, Hazard defended his commitment to training and participation in games and runs, albeit admitting that there were occasions when he lacked motivation.
He also dismissed the notion of strict dieting, asserting that he prefers to enjoy life’s pleasures, including champagne, rather than adhering to a restrictive regimen.
Regarding his time at Real Madrid, Hazard admitted to being a lifelong fan of Zinedine Zidane and expressed admiration for the club’s iconic stadium, the Bernabéu.
However, he conceded that the club’s swagger and playing style did not align with his own preferences. Despite this, joining Real Madrid was a dream come true for Hazard, and he felt it was a necessary step in his career trajectory.