Former Chelsea and Real Madrid forward Eden Hazard has made a bold statement, dismissing football icons such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, and Barcelona’s young talent Lamine Yamal, as he revealed the one player he considers a superior dribbler—Lionel Messi. The Belgian legend expressed his thoughts in a recent video published on the official UEFA Champions League account on X (formerly Twitter). During the interactive session, Hazard was challenged to remain silent until he heard the name of a footballer he believed had better dribbling skills than himself. The names mentioned began with Paris Saint-Germain’s Desire Doue, AC Milan winger Rafael Leão, PSG’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and Barcelona attacker Raphinha. Despite hearing these names, Hazard did not react and kept his composure. A slight change in his expression occurred when the host listed former Manchester City star Riyad Mahrez and Real Madrid winger Vinícius Júnior, yet he still chose to remain silent. Even when Cristiano Ronaldo and Lamine Yamal were mentioned, Hazard showed no sign of acknowledgment. However, when Neymar’s name came up, the 34-year-old appeared thoughtful but refrained from speaking. It was not until Lionel Messi was mentioned that Hazard finally broke his silence, making it clear that he regards the Argentine World Cup winner as the only dribbler who surpasses him. Hazard officially retired from professional football in October 2023 at the age of 32, bringing an end to a glittering career that saw him shine in the Premier League with Chelsea and later in La Liga with Real Madrid.
Al Nassr captain Cristiano Ronaldo has expressed his thoughts on the recent arrival of Portuguese attacking midfielder Joao Felix to the Saudi Pro League side. Felix’s move to Al Nassr comes after a turbulent few years in his career, which began with incredible promise at Portuguese giants Benfica. The 25-year-old star made headlines early in his career with his dazzling performances in the Primeira Liga, attracting global attention and becoming one of Europe’s most sought-after young talents. From Benfica Stardom to Career Struggles In 2019, Felix secured a high-profile transfer to Atletico Madrid in Spain’s La Liga. The move was expected to elevate his career to new heights, but he struggled to fully adapt to the team’s playing style and the tactical demands of manager Diego Simeone. Despite flashes of brilliance, his performances fell short of the lofty expectations attached to his record-breaking transfer fee. Over time, Felix found himself moving between clubs on loan in an attempt to reignite his career. He joined Barcelona for a spell before making a switch to Chelsea in the Premier League. At Chelsea, his time started with optimism but eventually faded under the management of Enzo Maresca, who preferred other attacking options. Loan Moves and Final Departure from Chelsea In January of this year, Felix was loaned to AC Milan in Serie A. While his stint in Italy provided valuable playing time, it was clear a fresh start was needed. That opportunity came this summer transfer window, when he officially joined Al Nassr, linking up with Cristiano Ronaldo and adding another marquee name to the growing roster of international stars in the Saudi Pro League. Ronaldo’s Positive Endorsement Ronaldo has publicly welcomed Felix’s decision, believing it represents the best possible step for his career at this point. Speaking to The TouchlineX, the Portuguese legend said: “It was a better option for Joao Félix to go to Saudi Arabia than to play in the Portuguese league. He took the right decision.” Ronaldo’s words highlight not only his belief in the competitive quality of the Saudi Pro League but also his confidence that Al Nassr will provide Felix with a platform to rediscover his top form.
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Cristiano Ronaldo, the iconic Al-Nassr forward, has openly shared his excitement over the appointment of Jorge Jesus as the new head coach of the Saudi Pro League giants. Ronaldo’s reaction came shortly after the club made the official announcement, confirming Jesus as the latest manager to take the helm. With this appointment, Jorge Jesus becomes the second Portuguese tactician to manage Ronaldo at Al-Nassr. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner previously played under the guidance of fellow Portuguese manager Luis Castro throughout the 2023-2024 football season. Before Jesus’s arrival, the club had been managed by Italian coach Stefano Pioli, who led Al-Nassr during the previous season. Pioli has since returned to Italy, where he has taken up the managerial position at Serie A club Fiorentina. Jorge Jesus is no stranger to Saudi Arabian football. He notably managed Al-Nassr’s fierce rivals, Al-Hilal, where he achieved significant success. During his tenure with Al-Hilal, Jesus won several major titles, including the Saudi Pro League title, the prestigious King’s Cup, and two Saudi Super Cups, establishing his credentials within the region’s football circles. The veteran coach, who is now 70 years old, has officially agreed to a one-year contract with Al-Nassr. Reports indicate that Ronaldo himself endorsed Jesus’s appointment, further solidifying the decision made by the club’s management. Ronaldo responded to the managerial change with a simple yet welcoming gesture, posting a “welcome” message on his social media platforms to greet Jorge Jesus as he takes over the leadership of the team.
