Liverpool defender Andy Robertson has named Real Madrid new boy Eden Hazard as the toughest opponent he’s ever faced.
Robertson has faced the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in recent seasons, but the Scotsman insists Hazard is up there with the best in the world.
“He’s probably the best player I’ve come up against, on his day,” Robertson told reporters ahead of Scotland’s 3-0 defeat to Belgium earlier this week.
“He deserves his move, he deserves all the plaudits he gets. He’s a fantastic player, a world class player and probably one of the best in the world right now.”
Hazard scored twice against Robertson’s Liverpool last season, coming off the bench to score the winner in Chelsea ’s 2-1 Carabao Cup win at Anfield back in September, before opening the scoring in the 1-1 Premier League draw at Stamford Bridge three days later.
The Belgian completed his long-awaited move to Real Madrid this week, insisting at his presentation on Thursday it had been his dream to play for Los Blancos since he was a child.
“I’m going to try to become the best player in the world, but first I wanted to be in the best team in the world,” Hazard told a news conference at the Bernabeu.
“My dream ever since I was a child has been to play for Real Madrid. I’m not a Galactico, but I’ll try to be, for now I’m Eden Hazard.”
Hazard is unlikely to be the last player through the through the door at the Bernabeu this summer, with Manchester United ’s Paul Pogba and Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe strongly linked with the Spanish giants.
The 28-year-old was asked about the possibility of the French duo joining him in the Spanish capital, and insisted he joined Real Madrid to ‘play with the best.’
“I want to play with the best, and those you mention are the best”, the Belgian said.
“But it’s not for me to say about transfers”.