Belgium star Eden Hazard sees French youth player Kylian Mbappe deserve to be the winner of this year’s Ballon d’Or. Hazard is on the list of 30 nominees who have the chance to win the golden ball trophy symbolizing the success of footballers after appearing beautifully with Belgium in the 2018 World Cup and bringing the Red Devils squad to become semifinals.
Instead of expecting a trophy that was first introduced in 1956, the Chelsea midfielder mention Mbappe as the champion player who won the prestigious trophy.
Hazard thinks his performance is less comparable to Mbappe’s performance which led France to become world champion in Russia 2018.
“Even though I went through a good year, we have to keep setting foot on the ground. I don’t deserve the Ballon d’Or. I think there are better players than me,” Hazard told RTBF.
Luka Modric was considered to be in line for the individual title due to this Champions League success with Real Madrid and fine form in Croatia’s journey to the World Cup final, but at club level he has been underwhelming this season. Hazard no longer thinks he hs been the most impressive player in 2018.
“Luka Modric is one of them, but he played a little less well from August to September, so if i put in a performance earlier this season, I would call Kylian Mbappe,” he continued.
While Mbappe would be a worthy winner, he will still have to fend off competition from the likes of Raphael Varane, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
Hazard stressed that he is currently focusing on improving Chelsea’s performance in the 2018/2019 season which is competing in the top flight of the English League with Manchester City and Liverpool.
The player who was bought by the Blue from Lille in mid-2012 had scored eight goals and four assists from 13 appearances under the direction of Maurizio Sarri. His perfomances have even led many to label him as the best player in the Premier League.
“My goal is not to get the Ballon d’Or, but to maximize performances on the field. If i reach it someday, it will be good news, but if it doesn’t, it doesn’t matter,” Hazard explained.
Unlike the Ballon d’Or award which was monopolized by Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in the last 10 years, in the process of selecting the best players this time many players are said to be replaced Ronaldo and Messi.
The two megastar is doubtful in getting the fifth Ballon d’Or title because they are failing to make much of an impact at the 2018 World Cup.
