Having won 14 major trophies across three different leagues, Hazard is widely regarded as one of the most skilled forwards in football history.
The winger made a name for himself at Lille, Chelsea, and Real Madrid, not only for his impressive achievements but also for his captivating playing style, which fans adored for his slick skills and creativity. ..Continue Reading
However, Hazard has identified four other players he believes are the true artists of the game, forming an unbeatable team in his eyes.
In recent years, several players across Europe have amazed fans with their ability to control the game purely through their skill, earning the title of ‘artists.’
For Hazard, though, there are just four players who stand out to him as the very best.
“For me, the artists are Zidane and Ronaldinho, Riquelme… And then there is Messi,” revealed the forward when speaking with UEFA in 2017.
It’s no surprise that Hazard considers these four men among the best to ever play the beautiful game, recognizing them as true artists of football.
Zinedine Zidane became a legend at Real Madrid, Hazard’s former club, with 227 appearances, 49 goals, 67 assists, and six trophies.
His accolades with Madrid, Juventus, and the French national team, including leading France to World Cup victory in 1998, solidify his status as one of the greatest midfielders of all time, having won numerous awards, including the Ballon d’Or.
Interestingly, Hazard also includes Ronaldinho, Riquelme, and Lionel Messi in his top four, despite their significant roles at Barcelona, Real Madrid’s historic rivals.
Ronaldinho and Riquelme were teammates at Barcelona, known for their dazzling and attractive style of play during their time at the club.
Ronaldinho made 207 appearances, scored 94 goals, and won five trophies, along with the 2002 World Cup and the 2005 Ballon d’Or.
Riquelme, on the other hand, made only 42 appearances for Barcelona but spent most of his career at Boca Juniors, where he is now the club president.
Finally, Lionel Messi, who played many matches alongside both Ronaldinho and Riquelme, is an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.
Many consider him the greatest player of all time, especially after his 2022 World Cup victory with Argentina.
Across 1,083 appearances for clubs like Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and Inter Miami, Messi has scored an astonishing 850 goals and provided 379 assists.
