Skip to content

Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira 'hurt' by omission from the side

Sami Khedira of Real Madrid
Image: Sami Khedira: Set to leave Real Madrid in the summer

Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira has accused the club of freezing him out and dropping him even though he was fit to play.

Germany international Khedira will leave Real for free at the end of the season after talks on a contract extension broke down, with Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool and Juventus all reportedly keen to sign him.          

The 28-year-old has barely featured since the turn of the year, with Real citing a series of minor injuries as the reason for his absence, but Khedira told Spanish newspaper Marca the club had decided he was no longer wanted.

"I did have a small injury, a pain in my right heel, but that wasn't why I wasn't playing," he said.             

"It wasn't a complicated injury, I was able to play.             

"I've always felt that I've had the coach's backing, but the message indirectly came through to me that I was no longer needed, I was frozen out and wouldn't have a chance to continue playing.             

Live La Liga Football

"It's not the end that I wanted. It hurts that I'm accused of a lack of professionalism because I've always put the team ahead of myself. I've always gone with the truth."             

Khedira is not in the squad for Real's final match of the season in La Liga, when they host Getafe later on Saturday.

"Nobody from the club said anything to me directly," he added.

"It's all feelings, incidents and comments saying I wouldn't play anymore. But nobody approached me.          

"What has happened this season has hurt me to the bottom of my soul."

Real will end the campaign without a major trophy after failing to defend their Champions League crown and finishing second to Barcelona, after the Catalan club wrapped up the league title with a game to spare.

Watch Real Madrid v Getafe live from 7.45pm, Saturday, Sky Sports 5 HD.