Eden Hazard has hit out over his lack of first-team action at Real Madrid this term following Belgium's 2-1 win over Wales in the Nations League on Thursday night.
The former Chelsea star, 31, has been plagued by injuries since he sealed a lucrative £130million switch to the Bernabeu back in 2019. And the Belgium captain has become a peripheral figure under Carlo Ancelotti, who guided Los Blancos to both the La Liga title and Champions League glory last year.
Hazard has featured for just 98 minutes domestically this season after starting one of Real's six league matches so far, but he impressed from the start for his country against Rob Page's side in Brussels.
The tricky winger, who has managed just seven goals across 70 appearances during his three years in Madrid, is sweating on his place in the national side for the World Cup, which kicks off in Qatar in two months time.
Despite his recent struggles, he has insisted that he is still the same player who tore up the Premier League during his fruitful seven-year spell at Stamford Bridge - but he needs regular action to get back to his best.
"I was happy to start another match," Hazard told RTL after playing 65 minutes against Wales. "You saw that, I think. I'm happy when I play and it was nice to play for the supporters here [in Brussels] again. Our first half was very good.
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"I know what I can do. Now I want to get in shape for the World Cup. We'll see what the coach [Roberto Martinez] decides, but I'm happiest when I play. When I play, I give it my all. It's a delicate situation at Real Madrid. I feel like playing more, but I can't do more.
"I've always said the old Eden Hazard will come back when he plays. I just need to get back into the rhythm."
In light of his diminished status in Ancelotti's squad, Hazard was linked with a move away from Madrid this summer. However, a transfer failed to materialise - and Ancelotti hinted back in August that the winger had been earmarked to play a more substantial role this year.
Ancelotti said previously on Hazard: “I don’t know how much he can play, but yes he will play more than last year. He can play in different positions, up top, on the left, on the right, we are trying him as a false nine… There too he can demonstrate his quality.”
