That's the verdict of former Chelsea and Celtic striker Chris Sutton in the wake of England's 5-1 win over Montenegro last night.
Sterling was inspirational again for Gareth Southgate's Three Lions, adding another goal to his hat-trick against the Czech Republic on Friday.
The City star has now scored eight times in March and is enjoying the most productive season of his career.
Hazard is reportedly Real's primary transfer target, with Chelsea having already turned down an offer for their talisman last week.
At 24-years-old, Sterling is four years younger than the Belgian winger and would have a far greater sell-on value.
And Sutton thinks it makes more sense for Zidane to pursue the former Liverpool man rather than Hazard.
“You have to say that Raheem Sterling is now world class," he wrote in his Daily Mail column.
“If you were Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane, surely you would want to buy him over Eden Hazard?
“Is there anything Sterling cannot do? His weight of pass is superb, his movement off the ball is lethal and he has become deadly in front of goal.
“What defender in the world would want to face Sterling in this form?
"It doesn’t matter if you take him on or back off — either way he will destroy you.
“He is still just 24 and improving year on year.
His wonderful performances for England in the last two games have confirmed that he can thrive on the international stage.
"Sterling is one of the hottest properties in world football. If I was Real Madrid, I’d be making him my No1 target."
Sterling is contracted to Man City until 2023 and boss Pep Guardiola would be unlikely to even consider selling him.
The defending Premier League champions face a trip to Craven Cottage to take on Fulham on Saturday (12.30pm).
