Kovacic: The best thing for me would be to leave Real Madrid and join another club LaLiga - Real Madrid He wants more playing time

Real Madrid have enjoyed unprecedented European success since Mateo Kovacic joined the club in 2015, but the midfielder is now looking to increase his playing time and would be willing to leave the Spanish capital.

Currently representing Croatia at the World Cup, the 24-year-old is also studying his future and his options.

In an interview with MARCA in Russia, he spoke about his hopes for the near future.

"I would like to play more at Real Madrid because I love football and I love being on the pitch," he said.

"I know that it's difficult to be a starter at Real Madrid, especially when I arrived at a really young age.

"I understand the situation, but because of that I believe the best thing for me would be to go to another club where I'd have the opportunity to play regularly as a starter.

"I think I can have this opportunity and it's one I want right now."

It was put to Kovacic that Real Madrid are content with him and that he plays a significant role as a backup, but he explained that earning regular minutes is important too.

"I think that all of the players at Real Madrid are important," he said.

"The problem is that it's difficult to get consistency when you're a young player.

"Without that consistency I will never be able to show my potential.

"Of course I am not happy when I don't play.

"I have really enjoyed these three years in Madrid, alongside some incredible teammates and winning trophies, but I haven't been completely happy because my contribution to all of this hasn't been complete and this is something I want to change."

Real Madrid now have a new coach in Julen Lopetegui, yet it doesn't seem that the Basque tactician will be able to sway Kovacic.

"I don't know the new coach and I've never spoken to him, but I now that we need to talk about my future," the player said.

"I have been at Real Madrid for three years and haven't played too much, something which has affected my status with the national team.

"This is something I'm not happy about.

"That's why the best thing would be to change team.

"Real Madrid are an extraordinary team with great players and maybe I am too young to contribute at 100 percent, I don't know."

For now, though, the midfielder's focus is on the World Cup and he is confident about Croatia's chances.

"We're a really strong team right now," he stated.

"The match against Argentina was incredible and we're now thinking about the second round.

"We know it'll be difficult because there are really good teams, but we have already demonstrated our strength and we don't want to stop."

Before the knockout round, Croatia face Iceland in their final group match on Tuesday.