Real Madrid have had such brilliant players come up through the ranks as well as through external signings in the last few years, that it is tough, although understandable, to see some of them leave due to lack of game time or some other reason.
Sometimes, the players are deemed good enough but choose to leave. However, on other occasions, some players who would happily accept a bench role stay on for decades.
That is the case with one Real Madrid player. Lucas Vazquez has been criticised as a Real Madrid player for a very long time. However, when it is required, he has tried his best to step up. Some of the things he is forced to do are out of his control. If he is asked to play more than he should, that is not on him - that is the board's mismanagement of the club.
Vazquez has been a good servant to the club, but according to reports from Spain, it looks like his time at Real Madrid could come to an end at the end of the season.
Lucas Vazquez's renewal with Real Madrid seems 'complicated', according to a report
Nothing is set in stone yet, but Vazquez's current contract expires at the end of this June, and Real Madrid and the player have not come to terms on an agreement so far.
A report from Relevo says that there have been some serious complications between the two parties, and the Spanish player's future is very much up in the air for now.
Obviously, Real Madrid potentially signing Trent Alexander-Arnold in the summer would have its side effects. Dani Carvajal is still at the club, and once he returns, he will at least be Real Madrid's second choice right-back, which would send Vazquez further down the pecking order.
He has never had an issue being on the bench, but Vazquez has always been the first or second player off it. In this case, he will not be that player anymore.
The decision will happen at some point during the month of May, and all will be clear.
When Vazquez was asked about his future a few weeks ago, he gave a very open ended answer. He said: "Everything is in my head. The option to stay, not to stay, to go somewhere else, or to quit. I feel very good. I'm in a good, very nice moment, and I just want to enjoy this season. I'm living a dream, playing for the club of my life, and I hope I can continue adding to my list of achievements."
It depends on the player and the club to decide what to do to best carry this operation, but Vazquez's decision to leave - if that happens - would be completely understandable. He would want to retire at a club where he could either play a bit more or earn a bit more, either of which makes full sense.