Eden Hazard to Real Madrid: Zinedine Zidane praises 'spectacular' Chelsea winger but refuses to be drawn on transfer interest

Real Madrid have been linked with a summer move for Hazard and Zidane believes he is currently the third best player in the world

Chelsea winger Eden Hazard waves to the crowd after Belgium's win over Italy (Getty Images)

Zinedine Zidane has revealed that Eden Hazard is his favourite player in the world behind leading stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, but he refused to be drawn on whether he sees the Chelsea winger moving to Real Madrid in the near future.

After labelling the 24-year-old “spectacular”, Zidane admitted that he believes Hazard will return to the form that won him the PFA Player of the Season just five months ago, and feels that his current poor form is merely a blip on his way to the top of the game.

“After Messi and Ronaldo, Hazard is my favourite player,” said Zidane said. “I love watching him because he is a player who creates things and it is often spectacular to see him play.

“Do I see him going to Real Madrid? Ask someone else. I love the player and that's all.”

He added: “I'm still a fan of Eden. Every career has its highs and lows. I have no doubts. He will be back.”

Zidane did not reveal whether Real are preparing to launch a move for Hazard after being heavily linked with the Belgium international. Currently the manager of Real Madrid Castilla – the Spanish side’s reserve string side – Zidane is being tipped as a Real manager of the future and could get the chance to join up with Hazard should the club follow up their interest and make an official bid for the winger.

Belgium secured a 3-1 victory over Italy on Friday night with Tottenham’s Jan Vertonghen and Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne getting themselves on the score-sheet, and Hazard is set to play in their second international friendly on Tuesday when they meet Spain in Brussels.