‘Eden Hazard is on the same level as Lionel Messi’, Barcelona legend Samuel Eto’o makes a sensational claim

Former Barcelona striker Samuel Eto’o has made a big claim, something that would definitely draw attention when he claimed that Real Madrid winger Eden Hazard is “on the same level” as the six-time Ballon winner. Gold, Lionel Messi.

Eto’o played alongside Messi for five seasons between 2004 and 2009, during which the pair enjoyed immense success culminating in the historic 2008/09 3-point campaign. The duo are also known to be friends off the field, with the Cameroonian often talking about his love for the Argentine, who he believes is arguably the greatest player of all time.

While he was clearly delighted that Messi was staying at the Nou Camp for at least one more season, he drew attention by comparing Hazard to the 33-year-old.

“Messi is like my son. He has stayed and for that I am happy. But the heart of this team needs more Barcelona-style players, players who are tiki-taka, not box to box, “he told AS, adding that” Eden Hazard “is at the same level as Messi.”, And he would like to “To see a great (Sergio) Busquets again at his best.”

This statement would come as a surprise to many considering that Messi has been the best for more than a decade and that at 33 years old he was still his usual brilliant self last season, scoring 30 goals and providing 26 assists in 43 appearances in all competitions.

Hazard, meanwhile, struggled in his debut season at the Bernabéu, scoring just one goal and providing six assists in 22 games across all competitions, in a campaign that saw him bogged down by form and fitness issues.