Thiago Alcantara has reaffirmed his commitment to Bayern Munich, telling 11 Freunde "it's very important to see out my contract," which runs until 2021.
Thiago joined Bayern from Barcelona in the summer of 2013, with then coach Pep Guardiola telling the club it was "him or no one" that he wanted to bring with him to the Allianz Arena.
Thiago has picked up five Bundesliga titles in the five-and-a-half years since. Although the 2016/17 campaign was the only one in which an often injury-ravaged Thiago started more than 20 Bundesliga games, Bayern saw fit to hand him a new contract until 2021, and he plans to honour it.
"In sport and in life, it's not just about titles," he said. "[But] when I sign a contract, I think within the terms of the deal. In football everything happens so fast. But it became obvious early on that everything fits in Munich and my family likes it.
"And now I have a contract until 2021. I never thought I’d stay at Bayern so long. To me, it's very important to see out a contract."
No midfielder has played more Bundesliga minutes for Bayern than Thiago this season, and the Spain international - son of Brazil World Cup winner Mazinho - is confident his injury woes are behind him.
"The sport has opened more doors in my life than it's closed," he said. "My reality is football. That's why I try to align my body and mind with this sport. You also get out what you put in."
Thiago will not be in action on Saturday, when Bayern entertain Fortuna Düsseldorf at the Allianz, but the midfielder has begun individual running training on his road to recovery from an ankle ligament injury.
lawanfon
0
please Bayern should give him more playing time
Mishan007
2
rabderuz
3
love you T. I appreciate the affirmation that you're sticking with us FCB IS LIFE
Tinadimruz
1
What a glad new for me
raneilsweeney
0
I think Thiago's career highlights how much luck is involved in a professional sports career
yes that's a fact
Odyssey
1
You can't put this one on Thiago's "fragility." Dude got his ankle stomped on studs up, could've happened to anyone.
Facesea
1
Well... i see that the irony dosent come through without the Bayern crest beside my name...
pardonol
2
So basically we'll see him after the winter break. Checks out.
Jamesparker
4
Every time I see Bayern news here, it's either injury or leaving transfer rumor
Brandonjick
1
I think Thiago's career highlights how much luck is involved in a professional sports career
keystar
2
Pretty shocked at how Robben and Ribery are both still the first choice wingers at Bayern.
YouKnowZlatan
2
Thiago is a great player and I think it is a good idea to stay at Bayern Munich, he can reach his full potential there. Mia San Mia
Costar
1
He is our most creative midfield player. And if there is something lacking in our playstyle at the moment, it is creativity.
wepekln
1
I can understand the crying because of our winger situation but come on...our midfield is stacked.
Landtiger
0
As if we don't have a replacement in midfield for several weeks.
NBA22
0
This is very good for Thiago, but thanks to our genious board and the well ahead planned squad for this season
eeasy
0
Yes but AFAIR he wanted his players cleared for training earlier.
JAMESRMA10
0
He was brought back by Jupp though. Think it was about Pep playing Thiago early against Dr. Wohlfahrt's wishes which made Thiago go out for even a longer peroid.
iodineer
1
Yeah, he has an issue with Dr. Wohlfahrt which made Dr. Wohlfahrt leave Bayern.
Samuleley
0
I thought consensus at the time was Bayern knew what they were doing and Pep was in the wrong.
Galalook
0
We're worse than Arsenal when it comes to injuries