Argentina star Demichelis hints at Bayern exit

Argentina defender Martin Demichelis has hinted he may leave Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich during January’s winter break despite scoring on his first start for the German giants this season.

The 29-year-old centre-back scored a 39th-minute header in Friday’s 4-2 win over Freiburg in the Bundesliga, his first league start in ten games.

But the 33-times capped Argentina star is out of favour at Bayern, despite having made 171 appearances and scored 13 goals.

Demichelis has played for Munich since 2003, but found himself on the bench for the opening game of the season against Wolfsburg in August to make way for Germany defender Holger Badstuber.

The Argentina star stormed out of the stadium in frustration on hearing the news from coach Louis van Gaal and Demichelis has always said he needs regular first-team football.

“The game against Freiburg was my first start this season, but maybe it was also my last game for Bayern,” he said.

“At least I have shown I am not dead.”

His first realistic opportunity to leave Bayern is in January’s winter break.

“I am not happy when I’m not playing,” he said simply after just one 90 minute spell of German league football and said he will talk to his agent in the coming weeks.

“I love this club and I have been here eight years, which is a long time in a football career,” he said.

“If I go, I would rather it was in a different situation.”

Demichelis’ performance on Friday earned him rare praise from coach van Gaal.

“He has again shown that he is an excellent defender,” said van Gaal.

But the Dutchman would not be drawn on whether the defender has a future at Bayern.

“We’ll discuss this when the time is right and that time is not there yet,” he said.