Eden Hazard has revealed that a former Chelsea manager once encouraged him to copy Cristiano Ronaldo’s lifestyle during his Premier League years, but the Belgian insists he preferred to stay true to himself.
The Chelsea icon explained that he was told to look at Ronaldo’s approach away from the pitch, with the Portugal star known for strict discipline, a carefully managed routine and complete focus on recovery. Hazard, however, said that was never really his way.
“Just wanted to be myself,” Hazard said, as he reflected on the advice he received while playing in England.
He made it clear that he respected Ronaldo’s professionalism, but felt every player has their own personality and methods. Hazard’s message was that trying to force a different lifestyle would not have suited him, even if it has helped others reach the very top.
Hazard enjoyed a glittering spell at Stamford Bridge and became one of the Premier League’s standout players, but his comments offer a fresh insight into the expectations placed on him behind the scenes and the different standards set by managers during that period.
