Balic pleads for Real chance
Bosnia international Elvir Balic has demanded that Real Madrid give him an opportunity to prove his worth next season. The forward, on loan at Fenerbahce, is furious that the Spanish champions did not tell him a club had bid £20 million for his services.
Bosnia international Elvir Balic has demanded that Real Madrid give him an opportunity to prove his worth next season. The forward, on loan at Fenerbahce, is furious that the Spanish champions did not tell him a club had bid £20 million for his services.
Balic had other matters on his mind after Bosnia lost 4-1 to Spain on Saturday in a World Cup qualifier. He claimed the Madrid side failed to support him when he injured his knee early in the 1999-2000 season after his £13 million move from Fenerbahce.
"I did Real a favour by going on loan. They kept my rights and made money through me," he explained.
"Real owe me a favour. I just wanted a chance and they haven't given it to me. They have treated me unfairly - not like they have everyone else. I signed for Real, not for a particular president or a particular manager."
"I was promised that I was going to be Real's best ever signing and then there was a £20 million offer for me and nobody spoke to me. I'm not happy about that."
But Balic believes that the best way for Real to make it up is by allowing him the chance to prove his class.
"I really want to go back after completing my mission of winning the Turkish league with Fenerhbace. I've got four years left on my contract at Real and I just want to be given five consecutive matches to prove my worth. I want the same treatment as everyone else."
The forward regrets trying to rush his return from injury. "When I look at things carefully, I realise that I made a mistake trying to overcome my knee injury so quickly. I needed more time and I realised that in Turkey."
"In the Bernabeu they always want to see good football and I couldn't give my all because of the injury. During pre-season I was starting to play well but those games were played abroad."
Balic has vowed to fight for his place at the Bernabeu. He added that he is also keen to link up again with Real skipper Fernando Hierro. "I would really like to see Fernando again. He was the first person to say hello to me in the Real Madrid dressing-room."
"I've got good memories of him. He's a great captain and I worked well with him on the pitch. He played me some great long balls. He was always on my side when the crowd whistled me. He's the leader of the pack."