Real Madrid’s Eden Hazard: I ‘don’t talk’ to Carlo Ancelotti about lack of playing time

Eden Hazard has said that he and coach Carlo Ancelotti “don’t talk” about the forward’s lack of playing time at Real Madrid.

Hazard, 32, has made just one LaLiga start and two substitute appearances this season — in August and September — despite suggestions from Ancelotti that he would feature more regularly as a back-up to Karim Benzema.

The forward retired from international football in December after Belgium’s disappointing group stage exit at the Qatar World Cup.

“There is respect between us. But I’m not going to say that [Ancelotti and I] talk to each other, because we don’t,” Hazard told Belgian broadcaster RTBF. “But there will always be respect. Even if tomorrow he doesn’t pick me anymore.

“I must have respect for a guy like Carlo Ancelotti. In terms of what he represents for football, what he has done in his career. There is no problem.”

Hazard joined Real Madrid from Chelsea in a €100 million deal in July 2019 but has never hit his Premier League form in Spain, with a series of ankle problems and related injuries hindering his progress.

Despite his lack of football this season, Hazard said he intends to see out his contract at Madrid, which is due to expire in June 2024.

“I would like to stay, I’ve always said it,” Hazard said. “To hope to play. I’m waiting for one thing, to be on the pitch to prove that I still know how to play football. People doubt me, it’s normal. I understand very well. But for me, I’m still here next year. A transfer is not on the agenda. But you never know.

“What can make me change my mind? I don’t know. The only thing I think about is playing. That’s why I don’t even think about leaving. Deep down, I think I can contribute something. I feel it. If I do a little, people will trust me again. They might say to themselves that they made a mistake leaving me out. I just need minutes in the legs.”

Real Madrid play Liverpool in their Champions League round-of-16 second leg on Wednesday — Hazard was an unused substitute in their 5-2 first leg win at Anfield — before Sunday’s LaLiga Clasico with Barcelona.