Hazard can win the Ballon d'Or, says Azpilicueta

Between him Neymar who do you think that can win it first? Eden Hazard can reach the level of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi and win the Fifa Ballon d'Or, according to Chelsea team-mate Cesar Azpilicueta.

The 24-year-old has notched 14 goals and eight assists in 33 appearances this season and scored the only goal at Upton Park on Wednesday as Jose Mourinho's men preserved their five-point lead at the top of the Premier League with a hard-fought victory over West Ham.

Either Ronaldo or Messi have won the Ballon d'Or in each of the last seven years but Azpilicueta is adamant that Hazard can reach a similar level - though he admits the Belgian winger is more focused on team success.

"We are talking about two monsters of football today," the Spain international told Marca when asked about Ronaldo and Messi. "Eden is a great player, younger than them, and therefore has more capacity for improvement.

"I think in the future he could win the Ballon d'Or, he has the quality to it, but I see more focus on titles than achieving individual trophies. But yes, he has great quality and I think in the future we will see with the trophy in his hands."