Chelsea star, Hazard believes that the PSG youngster, Mbappe should be ahead of Modric in the queue for the Ballon d’Or, after winning the World Cup.
The race for the 2018 Ballon d’Or is arguably the most unpredictable in over a decade. Several players are said to be in the running. Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have won the last 10 between them. But neither of them are considered to be among the favourites. After they failed to make much of an impact at the World Cup.
Luka Modric was considered to be in line for the individual gong. Modric was recently crowned as FIFA’s Best Men’s Player following an excellent 2018, helping Croatia to the FIFA World Cup final and Real Madrid to a third UEFA Champions League success in a row. But at the club level he has been underwhelming this season.
Hazard starred in Russia and is sparkling for Chelsea this season. But he does not feel worthy of the award and the winger believes World Cup winner Mbappe has been more consistent over the course of the calendar year. He should beat Modric and himself to the Ballon d’Or. The ceremony will take place on 3rd December in Paris, per RTBF via Ouest-France.
“Even though I had a very good year, we have to keep our feet on the ground. ” Hazard told RTBF. “I do not deserve the Ballon d’Or, I think there are players who have been better than me. I would have said Luka Modric. But he plays a little less well since August or September. So if we take into account the beginning of the season, I would say Kylian Mbappe. The goal for me is not to have the Ballon d’Or, it is to maximise fun on the pitch. If I win it one day, so much the better. If I don’t, it will not be a problem.”
Ballon d’Or chances :
While the start to 2018-19 may have been forgetful for Modric. But the memories of his performances in the Champions League final and throughout the World Cup remain vivid. In the Champions League final against Liverpool, he bossed the game as Real Madrid won 3-1. While in the World Cup he was the heartbeat of the Croatia team. They made a shock run to the final, only to lose to France.
On the France team and the scoresheet that day (World Cup final) was Mbappe. He established himself as a footballing superstar with his performances at the tournament. The 19-year-old was sensational for Les Bleus. He netted four goals and outstripped numerous defences with his blistering speed. While Modric’s season has gotten off to a slow start following the World Cup. Mbappe appears to have kicked on again, netting 13 times already this season for PSG.
Hazard also enjoyed a wonderful World Cup. He was Belgium’s key performer as they finished third. He’s been excellent for Chelsea so far in 2018-19 too. Hazard has scored seven goals and set up another four in the Premier League this season, despite making just eight starts.
Do check out : The rivalry between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi is over
For more information visit our site, TechnoSports. And download our app from the Google Play Store for more real-time updates. To download the app, click here.