Eden Hazard has joined up with his Belgium teammates ahead of the World Cup, with the 31-year-old keen to put the first half of his season behind him.
Hazard admits he needs some time to get back into the swing of things as he hasn’t received much playing time at Real Madrid.
“It’s up to me to adapt because I’ve had some difficult months in which I haven’t had much playing time,” said Hazard.
“Above all, I have to prove that I can still do it. I don’t doubt it myself, but I understand that the outside world does.”
The Belgian has asked for patience as he looks to return to 100 percent, though he admits he thought things would play out differently.
“Why do I play so little with Ancelotti? Before the season we talked and he told me that I was going to have my chances,” said Hazard.
“Obviously, this isn’t happening a lot, but I understand that Ancelotti cannot always answer the same question.
“I don’t want to leave Real Madrid. Maybe after the World Cup things will be different. I want to play, but it is the coach who makes his decisions.
“I accept it, but I want to show him that I deserve to play more. When you don’t play it’s difficult.”
Now Hazard is looking ahead to the World Cup with Belgium – will it be his last major tournament?
“It’s possible,” Hazard admitted. “I’ve reached an age where you can call it an end, but not before going all out in Qatar.
“Since my foot surgery I feel good, before that I went through a very difficult period. Now that the plate is out, I feel better and I have more mobility again.
“I repeat: it’s just a question of rhythm.”
Getting into a rhythm
“I feel good physically,” said Hazard. “Of course I’m lacking rhythm, so the last friendly against Egypt should help me.
“I want to be there for that first game, like at the last European Championship. There I got minutes in the first few games and I was there for the round of 16 against Portugal.
“Our medical and technical staff will also help me a lot.”
“I still have the desire. That gives me strength. I haven’t suddenly lost my abilities over the last two years. I also have a lot of goals: this will be my third World Cup.
“I want to prove that Belgium can still count on its captain and I want to give my all here.”
