Belgian football today boasts the Premier League's Player of the Year.
Since he was a junior coming through at Royal Stade Brainois, Chelsea ace Eden Hazard has been the subject of intense debate and expectation inside the Belgian game.
Below, we hear from some of Belgium's greatest about this season's PFA Premier League Player of the Year:
Marc Wilmots (Belgium coach): "He is a great talent. When I see him, I see Zinedine Zidane. He continues his development. With his assists and goals, he is an important player for Chelsea. We should not compare him to Ronaldo or Messi. He will make his own way."
Michel Renquin (former Belgium international): "Eden Hazard is naturally so good, it seems that he has learned nothing, everything comes natural for him. During my time with the Red Devils, we did not have an Eden Hazard. No-one of his profile. In terms of positioning, he is between Enzo Scifo and Jan Ceulemans. He has the qualities of both these players."
Kevin de Bruyne (Werder Bremen): "I've played with Eden since the national youth teams. He has a different style. It's silly to compare us. It's normal I have more possession than him. I run around..."
Paul Van Himst (former Belgium international): "He's a boy of great talent. After what he showed in Lille, then Chelsea, he proves his quality with the Red Devils. From a talent standpoint, he is very strong, he could play for Barcelona."
Claude Masure (Royal Stade Brainois president): "Eden is very attached to Braine-le-Comte, to its roots. His grandfather played here, his mum, dad, brothers. He often visits. He's here for the kids. One day, there were four games. He stayed for them all, signing autographs."
Wilfried Van Moer (ex-Standard Liege): "If Eden Hazard is fit, then he will significantly increase the level of play of the team. He has all the keys for the game between his feet. But I should not say this because Marc Wilmots will not like it. This is a great footballer. Me too, I have made my living. I was a little naughty, I went out a lot, but without going too far."
Eric Gerets (ex-Belgium captain): "The future will show if he's able to get on the same level as they [Messi and Ronaldo] are. Even if he never makes it to the same level, just below them is still a world (class) player. Even Messi needed a lot of time before he was the saviour of the national team. It didn't happen for several years. You have to give Hazard more time. It will come. He has too much talent."
Marc Degryse (former Belgium international): "Hazard has something special that few other players in the world have. His acceleration from standstill. He is so agile. A real pleasure to watch. He does not flaunt his achievements. Eden is a player who wants to make a difference."
Enzo Scifo (former Belgium international): "If we could keep such a diamond in the bank, we will become world champion. Look where Eden is now. At Chelsea he works with world class players. At Lille we talked about a great football player, with Chelsea we're talking about a genius. He is the level of Messi and Ronaldo. If he continues to develop, he can even win the Ballon d'Or as the best footballer in the world."
More:
Eden Hazard: How Mourinho bust-up transformed Chelsea ace into Premier League's Player of Year
Why PFA nominees show Premier League delivers best experience to fans
