It’s very difficult for any elite player to try and break into the Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo duopoly that is the Ballon d’Or Award these days. For starters, you have to be top notch among the highest rung of players in the entire world, and you have to score a lot, and you have to do it with panache. It’s about a lot more than just being the best of the best on the pitch. You have to become a well known and established individual brand as well.
For Chelsea star Eden Hazard, who is among the world’s best when his game is on point, it could be his selfless nature that holds him back from winning the award. Or at least it’s a theory that he’s willing to subscribe to.
“(My father) always told me that. Maybe it’s true,” the Belgian said to BBC Sport (hat tip Metro) upon being asked about his placing the team over the individual approach to the game.
“I think, in football now, if you want to win something like the Ballon d’Or or top scorer, you need to be selfish. But I’m not like this, not at all. I’m just who I am.”
Eden Hazard is no stranger to individual honors, having claimed the PFA Player of the Year award in 2015. The Belgian, who led Chelsea in scoring this season with 16 goals and also added 10 assists, could claim another winner’s medal later today as his Blues take on Manchester United in the FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium. It presents the final opportunity for both teams to claim their first trophy this season.
FA Cup Final Match Preview Links
Injury and Fitness Report for both teams: go to this link
United Starting XI Prediction: go to this link
Chelsea Starting XI Prediction: go to this link
Jose Mourinho Press Conference Takeaways: go to this link
Antonio Conte Press Conference Video: go to this link
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes regularly to WGN CLTV and the Tribune company’s blogging community Chicago Now.
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