Real Madrid’s Eden Hazard has opened up on his strained relationship with Carlo Ancelotti and expressed his frustration at not being included in the first team.
Since returning from the World Cup, Hazard has not played in a single minute of La Liga or Champions League football. He acknowledged that this has had a significant impact on his decision to retire from Belgium’s national team.
The former Chelsea winger has struggled with injuries and inconsistency since his €100m transfer to Real Madrid in 2019.
“I would like to stay. I’ve always said that. I hope to play and to show that I can still do it,” Hazard said in an interview with Diario AS.
“People have doubts, that’s normal, I understand. But for me, I’m still here next year. You never know, but a transfer is not in my plan.”
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Despite his frustrations, Hazard said there was still “respect” between him and Ancelotti. “I have to have respect for a guy like Ancelotti,” he said.
“For what he represents for football, and for what he’s done in his career.”
“I’m not going to say we talk to each other, because we don’t,” Hazard said of his relationship with Ancelotti. “But there will always be respect.”
Real Madrid are open to selling Hazard this summer, with the potential for another costly free transfer exit next summer a concerning scenario.
However, Hazard has made it clear that he wants to stay and prove his worth to the team.
— Real Madrid 🇫🇷 (@RMadridFrance_) March 13, 2023
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