In a 2019 interview, Real Madrid superstar Eden Hazard made his pick between the two best players of the generation, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. The then-Chelsea player said that Messi is the ‘Greatest of All Time’ (GOAT), adding that his whole family worshipped the Argentine.
With 12 Ballons d’Or between them, Ronaldo and Messi are the two most accomplished players in history, at least in terms of individual glory. The Argentine has won it all in club and international football, with the 2022 FIFA World Cup being the latest addition to his trophy cabinet.
Ronaldo may not have tasted World Cup glory, but he holds the record for scoring the most goals in international men’s football. The Portugal ace has scored 118 goals in 196 games.
For most, picking between Messi and Ronaldo is a tedious task. Hazard, though, is not one of them. In a 2019 interview with Belgian outlet HLN, Hazard declared that Messi is the undisputed GOAT of football.
“Two G.O.A.T.s you say? No way. There is only one G.O.A.T (The Greatest Of All Times): Him, Lionel Messi! (sighs),” Hazard said.
Hazard then referred to Chelsea’s clash with Barcelona in the Round of 16 of the 2018-19 UEFA Champions League season. Barcelona secured a 4-1 aggregate win, with Messi stealing the show by netting thrice over both legs. Hazard said:
“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 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.”
Source: www.sportskeeda.com
