Kovacic looking to leave Real Madrid for starting role

Mateo Kovacic is ready to leave Real Madrid after three years of pent-up frustration.

Despite winning three consecutive Champions League titles with Los Blancos, the 24-year-old told Spanish daily Marca's Juan Ignacio Garcia Ochoa he's unhappy with his role as a substitute.

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

Kovacic, who has previously drawn interest from Juventus, AC Milan, and Liverpool, joined Madrid from Inter Milan in 2015 as a promising midfielder. However, former manager Zinedine Zidane limited Kovacic to just 37 league starts over the past three campaigns while favouring the likes of Isco, Toni Kroos, and Luka Modric in a three- or four-man midfield.

It has left Kovacic feeling a little shortchanged.

"I have really enjoyed these three years in Madrid, alongside some incredible teammates and winning trophies," he said, "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."

Kovacic said he has yet to speak with new boss Julen Lopetegui about a bigger role.

His situation with Croatia is similar. Kovacic has made just two appearances at the World Cup for a total of 20 minutes, falling behind Modric, Ivan Rakitic, and Marcelo Brozovic in the pecking order.