Hazard: I will still be at Real Madrid next season

Jacque Talbot

• 14 Mar 2023 19:04 GMT
• 3 min read

Eden Hazard has stated that he will be at Real Madrid but hopes for playing time.

The Belgian has conceded that his relationship with Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has completely broken down and that they are no longer talking.

“For me, I will still be at Real Madrid next season — but you never know”, told RTBFsport. “Me and Ancelotti? There is respect but we don’t talk to each other. I miss playing football. I want to play. I want to have fun”.

READ MORE: 'I don't want to stay at Real Madrid unless I deserve it' claims midfielder

So far the Chelsea legend has only featured for 296 minutes in all competitions this season, adding a goal and assist. His last appearance came in the Copa del Rey against fourth-tier side CP Cacereno.

But even though he has struggled for game-time, Hazard says he has no intention of leaving the side in the upcoming window.

He recently announced he has no intention of leaving the club this summer and wants to see out the final year of his contract - worth £470,000 per week.

On current manager Ancelotti, Hazard said: 'There is respect between us. But I'm not going to say that we talk to each other because we don't talk to each other. But there will always be respect. Even if tomorrow, he doesn't make me play anymore.

“I have to have respect for a guy like Carlo Ancelotti. What he represents for football, what he has done in his career, there is no problem.”

Ancelotti, meanwhile, spoke of the relationship between the pair ahead of Real Madrid’s clash with Liverpool.

He said: “Hazard has been very honest, we don't talk much because it could be a matter of character.”

“The most important thing for me, that if we don't talk much, he follows me respecting. It's the most important thing, just like I respect him. He doesn't play because he has a lot of competition and a player in his position who is playing very well, which is Vinicius."

Hazard moved to Real in 2019 for an initial £88.3m, but the triggering of some add-ons means the cost for the Belgian means he’s cost a record £90m.