Champions League

Eden Hazard lauds 'out of this world' Barcelona ace Lionel Messi

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 09 February 2018

Eden Hazard believes that Chelsea's meeting with Barcelona later this month will be "beautiful" for the neutral, particularly with Lionel Messi involved.

Chelsea star Eden Hazard has joked that Barcelona have a player in Lionel Messi who "is not from this world", as he prepares to lock horns with the superstar forward.

Messi has enjoyed yet another impressive campaign in front of goal, finding the net 26 times in all competitions to keep Barca on course for a domestic and European treble.

Standing in Barcelona's way in the Champions League is a two-legged tie with Chelsea in the last 16, which Hazard believes could go either way despite the contrasting form of the two sides.

"You know, they have a guy who is not from this world," he told Marca. "He's different, a 'superclass'. But this is not about one player, it is about the whole team.

"It's a beautiful match. This season we are not the same as last season, of course, and they are very good but in the end it is a cup tie and you never know what happens. That's why we love football. I'm pretty sure we can beat them if we play together. We'll see."

Chelsea play host to Barcelona on February 20, before travelling to Camp Nou for the reverse fixture three weeks later.