Eden Hazard Snubs Ronaldo and Neymar, Names Messi As the Only Player Better Than Him

• Eden Hazard announced his retirement from football last year
• He endured a difficult four years at his dream club Real Madrid
• The Belgian named Lionel Messi as the only player better than him

Eden Hazard was one of football's most talented players during his career and believes there was only one player better than him, snubbing big names Neymar and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Hazard announced his retirement from professional football last year after his dream move to Real Madrid turned into a nightmare, and his contract was mutually terminated.

He spent four years at the Santiago Bernabeu after moving to the Spanish giants from Chelsea in 2019, having dominated the Premier League for seven years.

He struggled with injuries throughout his time in the Spanish capital and lack of game time under the last manager he played for in La Liga, Carlo Ancelotti.

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Football

Hazard names Messi as better player

Hazard has rarely spoken to the media since hanging his boots last year but recently spoke to L’Equipe in an interview where he was asked which player he believes is better than him.

“Individually, Messi is perhaps the only one. I enjoyed seeing the one in Barcelona, less towards the end, but he is the greatest player in history. Unplayable, impossible to take the ball from him, he's just unbelievable,” he said.

“Cristiano is a bigger player than me but, in terms of pure football, honestly, I don't think so,” he added.

Per Goal, Hazard had the chance to play with Messi but declined before retiring. Inter Miami were one of the six clubs that presented the former Chelsea star with offers, but he rejected all.

Messi is enjoying the final days of his career, winning the 2022 FIFA World Cup and consequently winning the Ballon d'Or and two Best FIFA Awards.

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Football

Alexander-Arnold named Messi his toughest opponent

Sports Brief reported on Trent Alexander-Arnold naming Messi his toughest opponent, though fans were convinced he almost mentioned Hazard.

The Liverpool star stuttered “ha, ha…” before saying Messi, leading fans on social media to speculate he wanted to mention the former Lille man but changed his mind.