Eden Hazard might have ruffled some feathers with his latest comments concerning Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. These two iconic figures perennially ignite debates concerning which one reigns supreme as the greatest player in soccer history. Hazard, who bid adieu to his professional soccer career just last year, appears to have resolved this rivalry by selecting the Argentine. The Belgian even went a step further by boldly proclaiming that his own intrinsic talent outweighs Ronaldo’s.
“Two G.O.A.T.s you say? No way. There is only one G.O.A.T: Him, Lionel Messi!” These were the words of the ex-Real Madrid star in 2018. This ardent admiration for the Argentine legend still seems unaltered despite time and transition from being an active participant in the game.
For Eden Hazard, it ‘was impossible to confront’ Lionel Messi
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As per L’Equipe, Eden Hazard was questioned about any players he perceives as superior to him. Swiftly responding, the 33-year-old expressed, “Individually, Messi is perhaps the only one. I enjoyed seeing Barcelona’s Messi and, to a lesser extent, the last Messi, but he is the greatest in history.” He further added, “It is impossible to confront him and it is impossible to take the ball.” He subsequently transitioned into discussing Lionel Messi’s arch-rival and made a bold claim.
“Cristiano is a greater player than me, but in terms of pure football, frankly, I don’t think so,” concluded Hazard. As for the former forward’s career, despite enduring a challenging period after moving from Chelsea to Real Madrid, his previous successes are not forgotten.
Hazard was a key part of the Chelsea side that won two Premier League titles, an FA Cup, an EFL Cup, along with two Europa Cups across seven seasons. His creativity, passing, dribbling, and shooting abilities often drew comparisons to the Inter Miami captain.
This begs the question: Does the Chelsea legend’s pure skills surpass those of the legendary Cristiano Ronaldo? Well, that is a topic open for debate. While this is what a veteran like Eden Hazard has to say, Argentine youngster Carlos Alcaraz had something to say about Ronaldo as well.
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The 21-year-old recently joined Serie A’s Juventus as a loan player. Shortly after he merged with the team, an interview sought his reflections about his early life influences. “As a kid, I always liked Cristiano Ronaldo. He was an inspiration,” shared Alcaraz in genuine admiration.
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With regards to Lionel Messi, however, this Argentine prodigy maintained silence without expressing any explicit thoughts or sentiments for him. It is through such personal narratives from both Hazard and Alcaraz that one can gain fresh insights into an enduring topic, the ongoing debate between two titans: Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
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What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments.
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