Chelsea superstar Eden Hazard has branded Barcelona forward Lionel Messi as the the greatest footballer of all time.
The Belgian forward told HLN in an interview while admitting that his encounter against the Argentine in last season's Champions league second round stage game was not palatable.
Having played 1-1 draw at the Stamford Bridge, Messi inspired his side to a 3-0 win after netting twice with Ousmane Dembele scoring the third of the encounter at Camp Nou.
Both Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have dominated world stage over the last decade winning five Ballons d'Ors each.
Hazard told HLN that: " Two G.O.A.T.s (Greatest of All Time) you say? No way. There is only one G.O.A.T: Him, Lionel Messi !"
"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 match 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."
The 28-year-old had an amazing 2018 - helping Belgium win bronze medal at the FIFA World Cup in Russia.
He continued: "That was something that came naturally. I didn't think about it when we crossed each other. I just put myself in his place, "
"Everyone expected him to become the best player of the World Cup. It had to be Neymar. Lionel Messi was out of the tournament. Cristiano Ronaldo as well. The pressure on his shoulders must have been immense .
"I know the feeling. But tens of thousands of times bigger than in Belgium, when they expected a lot from me in 2014. The nation, the fans, the journalists. It was Neymar, Neymar, Neymar. It was all about Neymar, Neymar, Neymar .
"It was exaggerated hysteria. Have we won? Then it's thanks to Neymar. Have we lost? Then it's Neymar's fault. As if those 22 others in the Brazil squad didn't even participate .
"We did not speak - his English isn't that good. It was all about the gesture, not about the words. In a difficult moment I wanted to make him feel respected. To comfort him. He is a top player. His moment will come. Maybe at the next World Cup. "
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