"Hazard doesn't play because of Vinicius"

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti reminded his player Eden Hazard, who revealed a distant relationship between the two, that his lack of minutes is due to the fact that "in his position there is a player who brings a lot, which is Vinicius".

"The relationship is not cold," Ancelotti replied when asked about the Belgian player's statements, who has not played since 3rd January in the opening game against Cacereno and has not featured in a La Liga match since September last year.

"It's true that I don't talk to him much because talking is a question of character and that you feel better with some people than with others, as happens with children," added Ancelotti. The Italian coach wanted to make it clear that, despite the lack of communication, he has no complaints about Hazard's professionalism.

"The most important thing is that, whether we talk a lot or not, whether he plays a lot or not, he respects me, as I respect him. He doesn't play because there is a lot of competition and I don't have to hide the fact that there is a player playing in his position who is giving us a lot at the moment, which is Vinicius".

Ancelotti left it up to the club to decide what happens next season with Hazard, who is apparently out of his plans but still has another year left on his contract. "For next year I am counting on the players that the club puts at my disposal," he said.