I Try To Reach Messi, Ronaldo’s Level – Hazard

Eden Hazard has said he’s flattered to earn comparisons to Lionel Messi but insisted he’s a “completely different” player ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Barcelona at Stamford Bridge.

“It’s good to be compared with the greatest ever, Messi or [Cristiano] Ronaldo,” he said. “But I’m completely different. We play in a different league.

“I try to do my job and try to reach their level, because they are the best in the world. Every season I try and do my best.

“When we play this kind of games, we need to perform. If you want to be one of the best, you have to play well in the big games. This is a big game. Let’s go for it and try and give everything.

“Last year we didn’t play Champions League, but this year we are back and I played a few good games: Atletico Madrid away, Roma, and here against Madrid.

“You want to shine when you play the best in the world. If I want to reach that level, I need to do a great game tomorrow.”

And when asked whether Tuesday’s encounter with Barcelona would be the “first of many, but not necessarily with Chelsea,” the Belgian forward stopped short of admitting he will see out his current deal at the club.

“First, I see the game tomorrow,” Hazard said. “We are going to face Barca. I play for Chelsea for now six years. I’m just happy here. Like you say, I have two years left on my contract, but I’m happy here, my family is happy here.

“Now I’m just focused on the game tomorrow to the end of the season. I don’t think much about the future because you never know what happens in the future, but I’m just happy here. I’m thinking about tomorrow, that’s it.”