• Premier League

Chelsea's Hazard can match Messi and Ronaldo - Courtois

ESPN staff
March 10, 2015
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Thibaut Courtois has tipped Chelsea team-mate Eden Hazard to eventually match Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi and win the Ballon d'Or.

Universally recognised as the outstanding players in the modern game, Ronaldo and Messi have won the last seven Ballon d'Or between them.

After showing immense promise at Lille, Hazard, 24, has developed into a major force since his arrival at Chelsea in 2012.

Fellow Belgium international Courtois, 22, has played alongside Hazard for both club and country, and though the goalkeeper told RMC there is still work to be done, he believes the attacking midfielder can win football's biggest individual prize.

"Yes, of course. He's still not at the level of Messi and Ronaldo, who are head and shoulders above all the other players. But Eden has the potential to get there.

"He's only 24 years old. He can still improve. He has the potential to be a future Ballon d'Or. But as long as Messi and Ronaldo play like that, scoring 30 goals in 30 matches, it won't be easy."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd
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