Eden Hazard: 'I want to equal Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo'

Chelsea midfielder Eden Hazard has acknowledged that he must work hard to equal the world-class level of Barcelona attacker Lionel Messi and Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo.

Hazard has been in outstanding form for Chelsea this season, with his latest display helping the Blues to a 1-0 win away at Manchester City on Monday, but the Belgian international has insisted that he has some way to go become being considered alongside the two players recognised as the best in the world.

The 23-year-old told BBC's Football Focus: "These players are the best on the planet. They score one, two, three goals every game. It's something that you've got to aim for - to go up to get to their level."

"To get to their level, it's a case of working hard every day in training, enjoying myself and expressing myself as much as I can on the football field."

Hazard, who joined Chelsea from Lille in 2012, has scored nine goals in 24 appearances in the Premier League this season.