Afellay disappointed by Netherlands Euro 2012 exit but desperate to make up for lost time at Barcelona

Jun 18, 2012 7:18:00 AM

The former PSV man wants to return at club level to show the Blaugrana just what he can do now that he has recovered from the cruciate ligament injury he suffered last year

Martin Langer
In Kharkiv

EXCLUSIVE

Ibrahim Afellay has revealed that while he has been left bitterly disappointed by the Netherlands' early elimination from Euro 2012, he is already looking forward to next season and hopes to prove himself at Barcelona.

The versatile attacking midfielder spent seven months out of action with an anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained in training last September but recovered in time to be included in Bert van Marwijk's squad for Poland and Ukraine.

The Oranje's campaign was a disaster, with the Dutch losing all three of their Group B games, but Afellay was just pleased to be involved and is now even more eager to make up for lost time.

"I'm very disappointed, as the truth is that this was not the result we expected," the former PSV man told Goal.com.

"But, from an individual standpoint, it is very important for me to be here, and return to a football pitch. I'm sad but also happy.

"I can't wait for next season now. I really wanted to get back on the pitch, and now I want to do it again, in Barcelona of course. I want to prove I'm worth to keep on playing for the team."

Afellay, who has been capped 41 times by his country, joined Barca from PSV during the 2011 January transfer window.

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