Lionel Messi is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, but a former England international has shared a different perspective on the matter. The ex-player, who wishes to remain unnamed, had the opportunity to play with Eden Hazard during his loan spell at Lille. According to him, Hazard's abilities on the field were comparable to those of Messi.
The former England international praised Hazard's exceptional skills, describing him as a "genius" who played at a different level than his teammates. He recalled his experience playing with Hazard, stating that the Belgian winger was one of the best players he had ever had the pleasure of playing with.
However, the ex-player also noted that Hazard's career was hindered by his lack of dedication and work ethic. He revealed that Hazard did not enjoy training and often had to be reminded about upcoming games. The ex-player described Hazard as being in his own world, even in the dressing room.
Hazard went on to have a successful career, joining Chelsea in 2012 and becoming one of the club's greatest players. During his seven-year tenure, he scored 110 goals and made 92 assists, winning several titles, including two Premier League titles and two Europa Leagues. He also captained Belgium's 'golden generation' to a third-place finish at the 2018 World Cup.
Despite his achievements, Hazard's career took a downturn after he joined Real Madrid in 2019. He struggled with injuries and fitness issues, ultimately retiring from football at the age of 31. The question remains as to what more Hazard could have achieved if he had applied himself more diligently.
The former England international believes that Hazard had the potential to be an all-time great if he had possessed the same drive and dedication as Messi. He thinks that Hazard's abilities were on par with Messi's, but lacked the same level of motivation and work ethic. This, in his opinion, held Hazard back from reaching his full potential.
