Heinze admits to World Cup hangover (28 Dec 2006 19:49 GMT)
Manchester United's Argentinian defender Gabriel Heinze believes he has paid a heavy price for pushing himself to make his country's World Cup squad.
The 28-year-old ruptured cruciate ligaments in September 2005, but he still forced his way into Argentina's squad for the finals in Germany last summer and appeared in four of his country's five games as they went out at the quarter-finals.
But when he returned to Old Trafford for the new Premiership season he had to undergo a personal fitness programme.
"I am not far off getting my full form back," Heinze told MUTV.
"There is nothing more important in a footballer's life than the chance to represent your country in such an important competition," Heinze said. "But when I decided to represent my country at the World Cup, I didn't just do it with my heart. I gave it a lot of thought and used my head."
"It is normal to push yourself. I thought I was fine and when I came back I thought the injury had gone away. I suppose you tend to learn from these things," Heinze admitted.
source : AFP