Lucas Silva has insisted that he expects to return to Real Madrid once his loan spell with Marseille finishes at the end of the season.
The Brazilian midfielder was farmed out to L'OM for the 2015-16 campaign in the final week of August, having failed to obtain an EU passport during his first eight months at the Santiago Bernabeu, but he believes he still has a future with Los Blancos.
“There were several clubs interested, but Real Madrid wanted to loan me out without a purchase option,” he told Globoesporte.
“Not everyone agreed with the clause, but Olympique [de Marseille] did.
“They're a big club, playing in the French League, with good exposure. The most important thing is to be involved with a great team, and my objectives are to play and get up to speed with European football.
“The Coach [Michel] played a key role [in my arrival]. He told me I'd help the team in many ways and that I'd have a great opportunity to play and generate good rhythm in my play. I hope to have a great season.
“When I had opportunities [for Madrid] I think I did well, but then I lost a bit of space [in the team].
“I think it was more due to the choice of Coach. I had just arrived from Brazil and didn't have a pre-season.
“I was adapting to a new style of football and country, but I think it was nonetheless important for me to join Madrid. The last six months were a very good experience.
“I couldn't stay under the new coaching staff because I didn't have a Spanish passport, but [Rafa] Benitez wished me luck and told me I'd remain in his thoughts. It's a good opportunity for me to demonstrate [my qualities].
“I feel a little different, more mature and acclimatised [to when I first joined], but I still have to improve and adjust to the pace of European football.
“I must think quickly and be more dynamic when I perform an action, but I think I'm on the right track.
“I intend to have a good season in France, improve, go to the Olympic Games [next summer] and return to Real Madrid.”
