In an interview with the website Sportpromotion, the Dutch company that represents 26 year-old Ibrahim Afellay, the player has hinted that he has thought about quitting football because of his constant injuries in recent months.
“I am emotionally and mentally broken,” says Ibrahim, on loan to Schalke 04 until June from FC Barcelona, with whom he has a contract until 2015. And just this week the German club announced via sporting director Horst Heldt that the player will not be continuing with them next season.
“It is strange to see how far these injuries have affected me,” he adds. The latest one, which is keeping him off the pitch, is muscular and he picked it up during the winter stage with Schalke 04 in Qatar. Even before last November, the month since he’s been unable to play for the German outfit, he had already suffered a muscular injury.
“With Barca I tore my ligaments and then came the thigh problems. For the last year and a half I have spent more time in rehabilitation than playing on the pitch. I Know I have to continue working and I’m on it, but there are times when I doubt everything and I can hardly keep up.”
Heldt has criticized Afellay for not making himself seen in Germany. “I’m doing the rehabilitation in the Netherlands and of course I’d like to be with my Schalke teammates. I follow them and I want them to win. I don’t understand his anger as I cannot be constantly coming and going between Utrecht and Gelsenkirchen”, added Afellay.
Speaking about a possible date for his comeback, he says: “I do not know when I’ll be available, I can not say. The only thing I can say is that I’ll get back to training with Schalke when I can. If there is anyone who would like to make that happen sooner, it’s me.”
Hmm young man.we stil love u com bck 2 barcelona..
Wish bst bst of luck
It realy hurt that things are going that way. I wish you quick recovery, and make move to BARCA. We realy miss you. GOd is realy on your side.