Sorry, Cristiano: Eden Hazard claims Lionel Messi is the best player in the world
Chelsea star Eden Hazard believes Barcelona icon Lionel Messi is the greatest footballer on the planet.
The Blues finished second – behind Roma – in Group C of the Champions League and were drawn against Messi’s Barcelona for a place in the quarter-finals of the competition.
Hazard and Messi will come face-to-face when the sides first meet at Stamford Bridge on February 20 and the Belgian is relishing the chance to test his wits against the best.
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And despite Cristiano Ronaldo winning the last two Ballon d’Or awards, Hazard insists Messi is the greatest.
Asked about Chelsea’s upcoming clash with Barca, he told Mundo Deportivo: ‘Of course, when you are playing football you want to play against the best.
‘The best team, the best players in the world. Messi is the best player in the world.
‘In the last 15 years, there hasn’t been a team like Barca and there also hasn’t been a player like Messi.’
Antonio Conte urged his played to remain ‘positive’ after drawing the La Liga giants for the last-16.
‘It’s a draw and our reaction must be positive,’ the Chelsea boss said.
‘As I know very well you must be ready to face everything and in this case you must ready.
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‘The past is the past. Now is the present and it is another story.’
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