Ibrahim Afellay has spoken of the struggles he is finding in dealing with consecutive injuries, whilst also responding to criticism from Schalke.
The Dutch winger is currently on loan from Barcelona at the Bundesliga outfit, but has not played a game since November, suffering successive hamstring and thigh injuries.
“I am emotionally and mentally broken. It is strange to see how far these injuries have affected me,” the 26-year-old reflected with Sportpromotion this week.
“With Barca I broke my ligaments and then have come these problems in the thigh. During the last year-and-a-half I have spent more time doing rehabilitation than I have playing.
“I know that I want to continue working, and I am, but there are times when I doubt everything and that it is hard to keep going.”
Schalke have indicated that they will not be signing him permanently in the summer from Barcelona, with sporting director Horst Heldt critical of his non-attendance at Schalke games this season whilst injured.
“I’m doing my recovery in the Netherlands, but of course I’d like to be with my peers at Schalke. I am still there, I want them to win. It is why I am not angry, I cannot travel between Utrecht and Gelsenkirchen.
“When will I be back? I do not know, I cannot say. I can only say that when I can I will reincorporate into training at Schalke. If there is anyone that would like to bring forward that day then it is me.”
