Choosing who the GOAT is between
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo is pretty simple to Hazard. These legendary
players have won five Ballon d'Or titles each, with Ronaldo winning five
Champions League Cups, and Messi, four. In an interview with Belgian outlet
HLN, Hazard made his choice with ease, as he said, "Two G.O.A.T.s (Greatest of All Time) you say? No way.
There is only one G.O.A.T: Him, Lionel Messi!"
"Those two games against Barcelona were not my
best memories of 2018. I was happy to play against Barcelona and Messi, but I
didn’t deliver what I expected. I was disillusioned.
"My three sons were there for the home match at
Stamford Bridge. The eldest is a big Messi fan - all of us are Messi fans,
actually. He wanted to see Messi that day, because Messi is a special
player."
Hazard admitted he's not at the same level with Messi
and Ronaldo but acknowledged he's in the top five in world football,
saying “I have the feeling that even with me the ‘yes, but’ remark is
gone.
“Every year there was somebody who said: Eden is close
to the level of Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo.
“First Jose Mourinho, then Antonio Conte, now Maurizio
Sarri.
“I will never become a Messi or a Ronaldo, but since
the World Cup everyone immediately says top-5 in the world when my name is
mentioned.
“Before it was maybe top-10, top-15, top-20. I feel
that the people now are saying ‘wow’.”
In the course off the interview, Hazard also discussed
his encounter with Neymar at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. The Belgium Red Devils
beat Neymar's Brazil in a 2-1 quarter-final victory. He sympathized with Neymar
after the game. He revealed, “That was something that came naturally. I
didn’t think about it when we crossed each other. I just put myself in his
place."
"Everyone expected him to become the best player
of the World Cup. It had to be Neymar. Lionel Messi was out of the tournament.
Cristiano Ronaldo as well. The pressure on his shoulders must have been
immense.
"I know the feeling. But tens of thousands of
times bigger than in Belgium, when they expected a lot from me in 2014. The
nation, the fans, the journalists. It was Neymar, Neymar, Neymar. It was all
about Neymar, Neymar, Neymar.
"It was exaggerated hysteria. Have we won? Then
it’s thanks to Neymar. Have we lost? Then it’s Neymar’s fault. As if those 22
others in the Brazil squad didn’t even participate.
"We did not speak - his English isn’t that good.
It was all about the gesture, not about the words. In a difficult moment I
wanted to make him feel respected. To comfort him. He is a top player. His
moment will come. Maybe at the next World Cup."
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