Eden Hazard claims that he does not deserve to start for his country at the World Cup based on his form over the last 'two seasons', but insists his achievements in the 'last 15' have given him enough credit in the bank for Belgium.
The Real Madrid forward acknowledged that he has struggled for minutes in the Spanish capital but reiterated his intention to stay at the club and that he will look at the 'pros and cons' in order to 'keep playing' after the World Cup.
The Belgian captain joined Los Blancos in 2019 but has only managed 72 games in more than three years after a succession of injuries contributed to a loss of the fantastic form he showed at Chelsea.
When asked whether he deserved a starting place in Roberto Martinez's side, he said: 'Judging from what I did in the last two seasons, no. But from what I did in the last 15 season, yes.
'I have even more desire to show that I still know how to play football. I didn't become useless in two or three years.
'This will be my third (World Cup). I want to show Belgians that I am still there and that they can count on their captain.
'This may be our last chance of winning something with this great generation. And we are going to try it all.'
With just seven goals and 11 assists in 72 games in the Spanish capital it is difficult to make a case for Hazard to start for Ancelotti's Real side.
And with the emergence of Vinicius Jnr and Rodrygo in the same period of time that the Belgian has been with Los Blancos, it has become increasingly difficult for Ancelotti to show faith in him.
The 31-year-old has now missed as many games through injury as he has managed to play for his club (72) and will now need to prove that he can stay fit if he is to have a future at the club.
'It's complicated because I want to play more. But these things happen in sport. There is a coach who takes decisions. As I have always said, when a manager wins it is complicated to question his choices. But I accept it and I try to show every day at training that I can play.
'It's up to me when I am on the pitch to show what I am capable of and to try to make people believe in me because there are people who have doubts about my qualities, even though I don't have any doubt. I am sure we are going to see them again.
'The answer is clear, I don't want to leave Madrid. Now we have to see. It's not only up to me. So. let's see how this World Cup goes and then we will analyse the pros and cons, what we need to do to keep playing, to keep enjoying it.'
Hazard's side have continually fallen short of expectations in recent years despite boasting a golden generation of talent, reaching only the quarterfinals of Euro 2016 and 2020, falling at the same stage at the 2014 World Cup and finishing third in 2018.
Though some have since retired, Belgium could at one point boast the likes of Kevin de Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, Hazard and brother Thorgen, Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen, Vincent Kompany, Christian Benteke, Axel Witsel, Thiabaut Courtois, Dries Mertens and Thomas Meunier.
But Hazard accepts that many of these stars are on the wrong side of 30, adding: 'Well, as I said earlier, I think it is normal that there are doubts about us. We were at the peak of our form in 2018.
'Now, after a few years, I play less, Romelu (Lukaku) this year had a lot of injuries, our defence is a bit older than four years ago. But it's part of the game. It's up to us to show up.
'As I said, I am there to show our qualities and I think that all our group, all the players - the 23, 24 or 25 players that are there - want to show that you can always count on Belgium.'
