Madrid: Real Madrid winger Lucas Vazquez insists hard work can unlock more first team opportunities at the Santiago Bernabeu after extending his contract with the European champions to 2021. Vazquez has featured in 12 of Madrid’s 14 games this season, but has started just three as the Spanish international has developed a reputation as a game-changer off the bench under Zinedine Zidane.

“It is an important step in my career, I am happy to be here, it is where I have always wanted to be,” he said on Thursday after becoming the latest Real player to extend his contract in recent weeks.

“I will continue working as hard as I can to have more chances to play.”