Former Stuttgart defender Ricardo Osorio says he would like to continue playing his football in Europe.
Mexican allowed to move on by German outfit
Former Stuttgart defender Ricardo Osorio says he would like to continue playing his football in Europe.
The Mexican stopper has come to the end of his deal at the German outfit after no offer of an extension was tabled by the Bundesliga side.
It means the 30-year-old will spend the summer searching for new employers after he has finished international duties in South Africa.
Osorio has helped his Mexico team to the final 16 of the World Cup where they will take on Argentina on Sunday for a place in the last eight.
The full-back is believed to be courting interest from Spanish teams but no overtures have been forthcoming for the man who spent four years at Stuttgart.
Valued
Osorio earned his move to the Bundesliga on the back of an impressive World Cup campaign in 2006 in Germany and the 2010 finals provide another shop window to remain on the continent.
"I would like to stay playing in Europe," said Osorio. "For the moment there isn't anything serious but I have been told that I have been eyed by several European teams.
"On the other hand I don't refuse the chance of returning to Mexico but I still don't know what can happen.
"I would like to stay in Europe but I am not going to stay at any price, I think that Mexicans have to make ourselves valued."
A move to another Bundesliga team could be off the cards of the Mexican veteran, however, given the physicality of the division.
Osorio is a centre-half by trade but has adapted to a full-back role in recent seasons - meaning a move out of the country is a strong possibility.
No other option
He added: "If I stay in Europe I suppose that I am not going to be allowed to play as a central defender because I am not very tall.
"I have been in Germany and they are 1.90m tall. That's why I had been playing as a right defender, I don't have any other option."
Stuttgart's decision not to extend Osorio's stay was fuelled by his punctuated presence in the first-team fold at the Mercedes-Benz Arena.
But the player did not harbour ill-feeling toward the club - despite admitting he would liked to have remained with Christian Gross' team.
Osorio said: "I would have liked to play more often for Vfb since I enjoyed my years at the club, but I am really not angry at anyone at the club because of that."
