Lauren James picks Hazard over Messi

Lauren James represented England in the FIFA Women's World Cup

Lauren James, a forward for Chelsea Women, explains why she likes Inter Miami great Lionel Messi to Blues hero Eden Hazard.

One of the greatest players to ever play the sport is considered to be Messi. He has more than 800 goals for club and country, along with numerous individual and team awards. At 36 years old, he's continuing to be strong after helping Argentina win the FIFA World Cup in 2022.

Hazard's four-season spell at Real Madrid, which was marred by injuries, may have hurt his reputation, but his statistics at Chelsea were exceptional. In 352 games across tournaments over seven seasons, the Belgian scored 110 goals.

He was crucial to the Blues' two Premier League titles, one Europa League victory, one FA Cup victory, and one League Cup victory. James claims that the reason she prefers the small Belgian to Messi over the latter is because of his skill with the ball in his hands, not because she is a supporter of Chelsea.

Prior to her team's league matchup with Tottenham Women, the 22-year-old spoke to Sky Sports (via talkSPORT):

No, I just like the way he plays, just the way he dribbles. I still have Messi, but Hazard will always be my favourite."

After mutually cancelling his contract with Madrid, which was set to expire in 2024, Hazard is currently a free agent.

Throughout his remarkable career, Lionel Messi has racked up countless goals for club and country. The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner, though, isn't very successful versus Chelsea.

During the 2005–06 and 2017–18 months, the 36-year-old represented the Blues 10 times in various tournaments, all for Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League. His Barcelona team won two games, lost ten, and drew the remaining six while he netted three goals and assisted on the same number.