Eden Hazard hopes to prove he is “not done yet” but remained non-committal on his future past the World Cup with Belgium.
The Real Madrid winger has endured another frustrating season, despite Los Blancos wrapping up a 35th LaLiga title with ease and 14th European Cup with a Champions League victory over Liverpool on Saturday.
Hazard started just seven games in LaLiga this season for his 18 appearances, totalling 713 minutes of action, and recorded just one assist without finding the net.
That has been the disappointing trend for the 31-year-old, who has managed just 48 outings in the league for Madrid since leaving Chelsea for a reported fee of €100million in 2019.
Hazard remains a well-liked member of the Madrid dressing room, regularly seen surrounded by teammates at the various celebrations this campaign, but he is striving to improve next season.
His next task sees him lead Belgium into their Nations League campaign, starting against the Netherlands on Friday, and Hazard is hoping to prove a point with his country, who will aim for World Cup glory in Qatar.
He told reporters on Tuesday:
“I was disappointed at the European Championship. I had done everything I could to stay fit, but then I missed out against Portugal.
“Now we have even bigger players and young people who will show themselves. We have to go to Qatar with the hope of winning. I want to be able to play without any problems and get back to my old level.
“But I don’t know yet if I will continue after Qatar. It depends on so many things. My family, but also my body for example. I also have to be able to handle it physically.
“I don’t know if I’m going to play all the games. You should not forget that I have played very little football in recent months.
“But I want to use these matches to find my feeling and the rhythm again. Ideally, I’ll do good preparation to play everything next season and be strong for the World Cup.”
While he remains unsure on his future past the World Cup with Belgium, Hazard insists he will give his all to succeed with Madrid before his contract expires in 2024.
He continued:
“My career was already beautiful.
“Playing at the most beautiful club in the world is great, although the past three years have not been great.
“For me personally it was bad, but I have come across great players and people. My contract has two more years left and everything points to it getting better.
“There are no more physical problems and I want to show that I am not done yet. I never thought of leaving.
“And I didn’t want to leave. I know I can show something when I get to my level.
“I just have to play again to be the old, the real Eden Hazard. For me, the new season started three weeks ago.
“I knew it would be difficult to play this season, but the most important thing for me is to prepare well and be ready for next season.”
