Eden Hazard makes surprising admission on Real Madrid future
Eden Hazard has insisted he wants to stay at Real Madrid next season despite his lack of game time.
The 32-year-old has started just three games in all competitions this season, with his further six appearances coming from the substitutes bench, scoring one goal and bagging an assist in said games.
Hazard's current contract at Real is due to expire at the end of the 2023/24 season, and speaking to Cadena SER after Los Blancos' Copa del Rey final triumph over Osasuna, the forward stated he is keen to see out the remaining year of his deal.
He said: "It's been a difficult year, but with a very big team. I have a good relationship with the club and with the players too. I want to play, but I know it's very difficult. I have to work and hope I can play more.
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"Honestly, I’m planning to stay at Real Madrid next season. I expect to stay as I want to celebrate the last year of contract I have left."
Expectations were high for Hazard at the Santiago Bernanbeu when he signed for a reported £103.5m, but a combination of injuries and a lack of form have seen the forward score a measly seven goals across his four seasons at the club.
Speaking in March about his lack of playing time throughout his spell at Real Madrid, Hazard told RTBF: “I want to play. I want to have fun on the field.
“Training is good but what keeps us alive are the matches. I hope deep inside me that I can bring something and that the coach is still counting on me, I hope. We'll see if I'm still going to play by the end of the season. I doubt a little. It's up to me to show him in training that he can call on me.”
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