Doha, Qatar – Eden Hazard, the belgian international currently playing for Real Madrid, reaffirmed his belief that Lionel Messi is the greatest footballer of all time, even while acknowledging the difficulty of facing Messi’s Argentina in the 2022 FIFA World cup Quarterfinals. The statements, made in a recent interview, have reignited the long-standing debate between Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo supporters.
Belgium’s World Cup journey concluded with a 2-1 defeat against argentina at the Lusail Iconic Stadium on December 10, 2022. Despite the loss, Hazard expressed contentment with reaching the quarterfinal stage. “For us, the quarterfinals were already great. When people say quarterfinal, they mean you lose against Messi’s team.So there’s no shame in that.You’re playing against Messi, the best player in history. There’s no shame in that.” The match saw Messi score a penalty and assist Enzo Fernández, while Julian Alvarez scored twice for Argentina.Belgium’s goal came from a penalty converted by Romelu Lukaku.
Hazard joined Real Madrid in October 2019, following Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Juventus in July 2018.He was immediatly entrusted with the prestigious No. 7 jersey, previously worn by club legends like Ronaldo, raúl, and Emilio Butragueño. despite the weight of expectation and inevitable comparisons to Ronaldo, Hazard unequivocally chose messi as the superior player.
The debate surrounding the greatest player in football history frequently enough centers on Messi and Ronaldo, both boasting numerous individual accolades and team trophies. Messi has won a record eight Ballon d’Or awards (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, 2023), while Ronaldo has secured five (2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017). Messi led Argentina to victory in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, a title that had eluded him throughout his career, further solidifying his claim to the title in the eyes of many. Ronaldo currently plays for Al Nassr in the Saudi Professional League, having left Manchester United in December 2022.
Hazard’s comments highlight the immense respect Messi commands within the footballing world, even from players who compete at the highest level. His tenure at Real Madrid has been hampered by injuries, limiting his playing time and impact. As of November 2023, Hazard has made 72 appearances for Real Madrid, scoring 7 goals. He last played for Real Madrid on October 7, 2023, against Shakhtar Donetsk in a Champions League match.
