In a recent interview with L’Equipe, former Chelsea star Eden Hazard made a bold claim, suggesting that while Cristiano Ronaldo may be a bigger player physically, he does not surpass Hazard in terms of ‘pure football.’ The Al-Nassr captain upheld Lionel Messi as the greatest footballer, emphasizing Messi’s unparalleled ball control and skill.
Hazard expressed, “Individually, Messi is perhaps the only one. I loved watching the Barcelona player, less so at the end, but he is the greatest in history. It is impossible to take the ball away from him. Cristiano is a bigger player than me but, in terms of pure football, I honestly don’t think so. Neymar, maybe. After that, he’s no better than me.”
Hazard, who retired from football at the age of 32 last October, compared himself to the enduring Ronaldo and Messi, who continue to play at the age of 38 and 36, respectively.
The insightful remarks from Hazard add an intriguing angle to the perennial debate over the two footballing legends, captivating fans and pundits alike with his perspective on the enduring greatness of Messi and Ronaldo in the global football landscape.
