MISSION IMPOSSIBLE? Samuel Eto’o Tips Hazard To Win Ballon D’Or Ahead Of Messi

Former Barcelona striker, Samuel Eto’o, has said Real Madrid’s new signing, Eden Hazard, is almost at the same level as Barcelona star, Lionel Messi and should win the Ballon D’Or prize.

Hazard completed an £88million move to Santiago Bernabeu from Chelsea earlier this summer.

Before his switch to Spain, Hazard helped Chelsea finish third in the Premier League last season with 16 goals and 15 assists, while Messi netted 36 goals and 13 assists for Ernesto Valverde’s men in the Spanish top-flight.

While the Argentine star chases his sixth Ballon d’Or triumph, Eto’o is upbeat about Hazard’s chances of winning the coveted individual award now that he is in Madrid.

“Hazard has to win the Ballon d’Or.

“He hasn’t been valued enough but now he’s at one of the best teams in the world and all eyes will be on him.

“He’s close to Messi’s level and I hope that he plays Barcelona when he’s not at 100 percent,” Eto’o told Radio Marca.