Blimey! Jose Mourinho puts Hazard ahead of Ronaldo

Jose Mourinho in interview with the English media during Chelsea's pre-season tour chose Belgium international Eden Hazard over World Player of Year Cristiano Ronaldo based on last season's performance.

The manager for the English Premier League champion in a question and answer session gradually made his point, choosing Messi first and putting Hazard over Ronaldo.

Read questions asked and  Jose Mourinho's answers below:

Does Eden have the personality to be a leader? 

On the pitch he leads. He is not afraid to take responsibility. He is not afraid to get the team from a dark situation and bring blue sky again for the team. He is not afraid of this. He is a guy with great discipline. He is not the kind of guy you see setting bad examples and so on. So I think he can. His ambition is coming, he is also the vice-captain of the Belgian national team. He has four seasons at Chelsea, so he didn't arrive yesterday. I think he is in this group. Eden, Fabregas, Cahill are in this group behind the captains.

Is Eden narrowing the gap between him, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo?

I think he is the best player in our country. The best player in England. You (the Football Writers) voted him too, the best player in the English Premier League. The Premier League is the top competition in the countries, I think he is in the top players.

Two years ago we reached the Champions League semi-final but he didn't play. He didn't play in (Atletico) Madrid, he played injured at home. So he arrived in that crucial moment not in condition.

Last year we did bad in the Champions League and we were out immediately so he also needs a good Champions League. I'm not saying winning but I say a proper Champions League. But he is fantastic.

You say he's top three in the world. That puts him alongside Ronaldo and Messi.  

Obviously, depending on the season they have.
Most people would say Messi and Ronaldo are the top two ...  

They have to win some titles, no? Football without titles is nothing. Messi won the treble. He won three competitions last year, he reached the Copa America Final. he had a fantastic season for him and for his team.

So for you Ronaldo last year would not be in the top two because of a lack of trophies?  

I think so. I don't like players or managers to win individual trophies without the team.

So by that logic you would put Eden above Ronaldo?

Last season, yes. In spite of the fact that Ronaldo was fantastic. He was fantastic. He scored an incredible number of goals. I am not saying he is not fantastic. I am not saying he was not fantastic. I am just saying that, in my personal view, every football player in the world should understand that a team has to be in front and no titles.