Eden Hazard has revealed his relationship with Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has completely broken down and they are no longer on speaking terms, having gone over two months without playing for the European champions.
The former Chelsea star has only featured for 296 minutes in all competitions this season, contributing a single goal and assist.
Hazard’s last appearance for Real Madrid came in the Copa del Rey against fourth tier side CP Cacereno.
Despite being put on the periphery of the squad, Hazard 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.
The 32-year-old has now admitted to Belgian outlet RTBF that he does not speak to head coach Ancelotti amid his absence from the team.
Eden Hazard (right) has admitted he does not speak to Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti
Hazard said he will still have respect for Ancelotti despite his limited game-time this season
‘There is respect between us,’ Hazard said. ‘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.’
When asked about Hazard’s comments ahead of Real Madrid’s Champions League tie with Liverpool, Ancelotti admitted the Belgian’s comments were accurate.
Ancelotti claimed the relationship was ‘not cold’ despite the pair not speaking much, stressing that both parties were still respectful of each other.
‘Hazard has been very honest, we don’t talk much because it could be a matter of character,’ Ancelotti said.
Ancelotti (L) admitted Hazard’s comments were an honest assessment of their relationship
‘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 the Spanish giants in 2019 for an initial £88.3m.
The Athletic reported the triggering of some add-ons means the cost for the Belgian has now surpassed the previous club record £90m fee Real paid for Gareth Bale in 2013.
The forward signed a five-year deal and became Real Madrid’s highest paid player.
Hazard confirmed his intention to remain at Real Madrid despite his limited game-time.
He admitted that he wants to ‘feel important’ and regain confidence on the pitch, having previously excelled for Chelsea over a seven-year-spell at Stamford Bridge.
‘I miss it, I want to play, I want to have fun on the field,’ Hazard said. ‘I hope deep inside me that I can bring something and that the coach is still counting on me.
Hazard last played for Real Madrid during a Copa del Rey tie at the start of January
‘I would like to stay, I’ve always said that.
‘I hope to play and to show that I can still do it. 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.’
Hazard retired from international football following the World Cup in Qatar, with his two group stage appearances marking the final games of his 126-cap career with Belgium.
The forward admitted he didn’t like playing at the tournament ahead of a ‘deserving’ new generation of players.
source: dailymail.co.uk
