Entertainer Hazard ‘not on Lionel Messi’s level’

Rob McCarthy
Eden Hazard: Currently in Lionel Messi's shadow

Eden Hazard: Currently in Lionel Messi's shadow

Chelsea playmaker Eden Hazard has dismissed claims that he is on the same level as Barcelona legend Lionel Messi.

Hazard has been outstanding in Chelsea’s charge towards the Premier League title this season, with the Belgian strongly tipped to be one of the favourites for PFA Player of the Year award.

The forward grabbed that honour when the Blues last won the the title two years ago and his form this campaign has led to some comparisons to Barca great Messi.

The 26-year-old insists, however, that he is not on that “level”, although he does like to entertain like his counterpart.

“For me, the artists are [Zinedine] Zidane and Ronaldinho, [Juan Roman] Riquelme as well in his way of moving, with his passes,” Hazard told France Football.

“And then Messi. What he does with a ball is strong.

“I don’t think I have that level. Again, it’s up to people to say it. I do not self-proclaim to be that good.

“I want to offer pleasure. People who come to the stadium want to have fun and have a good time, it must be a show,” he added.

“And it is up to us, creators, to make them happy. Already, at five, I was that style of player. After, of course, I worked to get where I am. But that’s something you’ve got.

“Creator, it is in the soul. Then it gets better. For too much to create is not good either. It has to be done at the right time.”