Real Madrid: Eden Hazard called ‘the Michael Jordan of football’
Real Madrid forward Eden Hazard is one of the most spectacular footballers in the world, and one of his managers believes he’s like Michael Jordan.
Seeing as how Eden Hazard’s career dribbling statistics are second to only Lionel Messi, the Real Madrid star is likely used to lofty comparisons. This comparison may be a reach even for his standards, but it’s nevertheless flattering.
Hazard’s manager with the Belgium national team, Roberto Martinez, certainly thinks highly of his star man. In fact, Martinez thinks so highly of Hazard that he recently compared the left winger to Michael Jordan.
He told Cadena Ser’s “El Larguero” that he thinks Hazard is “the Michael Jordan of football”. Furthermore, Martinez predicts Hazard will finally win the Ballon d’Or and join teammate Luka Modric as players who broke the Cristiano Ronaldo/Lionel Messi hold on the award.
Here’s the quote, via Goal.com’s Sacha Pisani:
"“I see Hazard winning the Ballon d’Or. He has the role of being a Ballon d’Or winner. What he has done is the level of the Ballon d’Or, and he is always eligible for the prize. He has done it at Chelsea, in France. It is difficult for a foreigner to be at the reference of a project that works to win the league. He is a last-pass player, a Michael Jordan. Hazard is the Michael Jordan of football.”"
That is high praise for Hazard, but he has earned plaudits and is indeed the caliber of player who can win the Ballon d’Or. I’m surprised he sees Hazard as the “MJ of football” over Messi, but since I cover Real Madrid, perhaps I shouldn’t say too much on that.
Next. Since when does hate equal support?. dark
Hazard is currently out with an ankle injury after taking a woeful tackle from countryman Thomas Meunier last week against PSG. Meunier has since apologized for the tackle, but Hazard will likely miss the rest of 2019, including the Dec. 18 fixture against FC Barcelona.
Prior to the injury, Hazard was on incredible form, producing backheel nutmegs, rabonas, and turns that sent even the best of midfielders into the spin cycle. Hazard has been worth every penny for Real Madrid, and his return will be key to Los Blancos’ title hopes in both La Liga and the Champions League.