Eden Hazard speaks out his Chelsea future, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo comparisons, and facing 'best in the world' Barcelona

Simon Johnson19 February 2018

Eden Hazard insists he is determined to shine for Chelsea against Barcelona and avenge his World Cup 2014 defeat against Lionel Messi.

Hazard is regularly compared to Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as one of the world's best players, but concedes he still has a lot to prove on the biggest stage.

The Belgium international joined Chelsea in 2012, the summer after they lifted the Champions League trophy for the first and only time, but the furthest he has ever reached was the 2014 semi-finals.

With Chelsea relying on his talent to progress past the La Liga leaders on Tuesday night, Hazard is aware he needs to step up in this last-16 tie.

He said: "You want to shine when you play the best in the world. If I want to reach that level, I need to do a great game tomorrow.

AFP/Getty Images

"Every game I try and play my best football. Every week in the Premier League. Last year we didn't play Champions League, but this year we are back and I played a few good games: Atletico Madrid away, Roma, here against (Atletico) Madrid.

“It's good to be compared with the greatest ever, Messi or Ronaldo. But I'm completely different. We play in a different league.

"I try to do my job and try to reach their level because they are the best in the world. Every season I try and do my best.

"When we play this kind of games, we need to perform. If you want to be one of the best, you have to play well in the big games. This is a big game. Let's go for it and try and give everything.”

Much of the build-up to the contest has centred around Hazard's long-term future at Stamford Bridge.

The 27-year-old's current deal expires in 2020, but he continues to be strongly linked with a summer move to Barcelona's rivals Real Madrid.

Chelsea are still hopeful of agreeing a contract extension in order to keep him in west London.

Hazard was once again cagey about where he sees his career heading after the end of the campaign.

He added: “First, I see the game tomorrow. We are going to face Barca. I play for Chelsea for now six years. I'm just happy here.

"I have two years left on my contract. I'm happy here, my family is happy here. Now I'm just focused on the game tomorrow to the end of the season.

"I don't think much about the future because you never know what happens in the future, but I'm just happy here. I'm thinking about tomorrow, that's it.”

Chelsea have enjoyed a good record against Barcelona in the competition, knocking them out in 2005 and 2012.

Hazard feels that could work in their favour and said: "You need to ask them (if Chelsea's results work in their favour against Barcelona), but we know that it's tough to beat Chelsea.

"We are in a good position. We play the first game here. We'll give everything. Of course, Barcelona are one of the best teams in the world.

"But, in the past, they struggled against Chelsea and I hope tomorrow will be the same. We want to win, that's it.”

Barcelona go into the tie as strong favourites, especially as they have dominated La Liga whereas Chelsea have been inconsistent in comparison in the Premier League.

Hazard knows Barcelona carry a number of threats as well as Messi. However the latter was partly responsible for ending his hopes of winning the World Cup when Argentina beat Belgium 1-0 in the quarter-finals.

AFP/Getty Images

Asked what it will take to beat Barcelona, he said: “First of all we need to defend as a team. If we don't defend against Barca, we are in trouble. So we need to defend together and play our football.

"We like the ball. We have players in our team, and we need to play with the ball and try and score goals.

"The first game is at home in Stamford Bridge in front of the Chelsea team. It's good to play against Messi.

"I did once, against Argentina in the World Cup, and we lost the game. I hope tomorrow will be different.”

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