2018 Ballon d’Or: Hazard Says Two Players Deserve It More

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Chelsea and Belgium star Eden Hazard recently spoke candidly about the 2018 Ballon d’Or, admitting that he doesn’t believe he’s the most deserving candidate this year. Despite a strong season both at club and international level, Hazard told media he sees other players as more worthy of football’s most prestigious individual prize.

The forward — who has been an integral part of Chelsea’s attack and helped Belgium reach the latter stages of the 2018 FIFA World Cup — insisted that while he’s proud of his contributions, he doesn’t think this year’s award should be his.

Initially, Hazard acknowledged that Luka Modrić — the Real Madrid midfielder and World Cup finalist with Croatia — was someone he respected as a leading contender. Hazard praised Modrić’s outstanding achievements in both the Champions League and on the world stage, suggesting that the Croatian’s performances were worthy of the accolade.

“I don’t think I’m the one who deserves the Ballon d’Or this year,” Hazard said. “There have been players who have done better over the season.”

While Modrić impressed early in the year, Hazard pointed to another player when considering who actually should win should current form and impact be the deciding factors. He singled out Kylian Mbappé, the young Paris Saint‑Germain star, as someone who has consistently stood out since the start of the season.

Hazard explained that although Modrić has had an exceptional year, Mbappé’s performances — particularly his explosiveness and influence in major matches — make him a worthy contender. This shows Hazard’s admiration not just for established stars, but also for emerging talent in world football.

Hazard’s comments reflect a humble and grounded outlook. Rather than pushing his own case, he chose to highlight peers who, in his view, have had more remarkable seasons. For Hazard, the Ballon d’Or isn’t the ultimate measure of a great player; instead, he prioritizes consistent performance and impact over headline awards.

He told the press the honor of winning the award would be great, but he wasn’t disappointed if it didn’t happen for him this year.

The 2018 Ballon d’Or ceremony featured multiple top‑class players from across Europe’s biggest leagues. From seasoned veterans to young stars, the shortlist included names like Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Modrić and Mbappé — all of whom had compelling cases based on their achievements.

In the end, Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modrić took home the award, ending a decade of dominance from Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Hazard himself finished among the top nominees but was not in the top three.

 


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