Eden Hazard says he's not selfish enough to win the Ballon d’Or

The award has been shared between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo for more than a decade

'I think, in football now, if you want to win something like the Ballon d'Or or [to be the] top-scorer, you need to be selfish' (Getty)

Eden Hazard believes he’s unlikely to ever win the Ballon d’Or, arguing that he’s simply not selfish enough as a player.

The Belgium international has been named in the Ballon d’Or shortlist in three of the past four years but has never finished higher than eighth in the voting, in 2015. This comes despite winning the PFA Players’ Player of the Year in the 2014/15 season.

The award has been shared between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo for more than a decade, with Kaka the last player outside of the duo to claim the accolade in 2007.

Hazard believes his chances of challenging for the individual prize are slim given his style of play and personality.

“He always told me that,” Hazard told BBC Sport of his father’s belief that he is too selfless. “Maybe it’s true.

“I think, in football now, if you want to win something like the Ballon d’Or or [to be the] top-scorer, you need to be selfish. But I’m not like this, not at all. I’m just who I am.”

After a mixed season at Chelsea, in which he scored 12 goals and provided four assists for the side, the Belgian continues to be linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge.

The 27-year-old has hinted that his future in West London may hinge on how Chelsea’s recruitment plans unfold this summer.