Squad: Sami Khedira (24)

Sami Khedira

Defensive midfielder Sami Khedira (Stuttgart, Germany, 1987) had his coming out party during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, during which he was one of the most outstanding players on the German national team. The new Real Madrid signing played seven matches and scored what proved to be the third-place clinching goal against Uruguay. One year earlier, Khedira captained the German Under-21 side to the European Championship title.

Khedira is a dynamic midfielder who can cover a lot of ground and can quickly join in attack after recovering the ball from the opponent. Standing at 189 centimeters, he has flawless aerial technique and a powerful mid-range shot.

Born to a German mother and Tunisian father, Khedira came into this world in Stuttgart, Germany in 1987. After initially playing for TV Oeffingen, he joined the VfB Stuttgart academy at the age of eight. He slowly climbed his way up through the ranks until earning his first team debut on 1 October 2006 against Hertha BSC. A couple weeks later he scored his first two Bundesliga goals against Shalke 04 and Stuttgart would eventually go on to win the league title. Prior to his arrival in the Spanish capital, Khedira scored 14 goals in 98 total matches with the German side.

Sami Khedira has also had a successful run on an international level. In 2009 he captained Germany's Under-21 side to the European Championship titles. He debuted with the senior side two months later and has earned a third-place finish in the World Cup. In less than a year he notched 12 caps for Germany.

Data

• Place of Birth: Stuttgart, Germany
• Date of Birth: 04/04/1987
• Position: Midfielder
• Weight: 81 kg
• Height: 189 cm
• Nationality: German

Honours

• Copa del Rey: 2011
• Bundesliga: 2006/07
• UEFA European Under-21 Championship: 2009

German player: Title earned

It seems that the next Real Madrid signings will return to German origin denomination, although in their veins run Turkish blood of their families (in fact, both play with the Turkish national team). Sahin and Altintop, both born in the territory of Germany, will increase the German lineage in Real Madrid.

In recent years, Metzelder went unnoticed and Özil, by far, justified the fifteen million euros were paid to Werder Bremen for his signing. With his quality has managed to forget Guti and many people have considered that the usual absences of Kaka, due to injury, have been minimized thanks to a strong performance of German international. Do not forget that Özil arrived in Madrid after his stunning World Cup in South Africa.

The curious thing about this German "flow" is that Madrid went on to win at least one title in each season in which was reinforced by a German player. Netzer, a blonde who came in his last time as a player, opened the way for the Germans in the summer of 1973. Then came Breitner, the evergreen Stielike, Schuster (as talented as controversial), Illgner, the goalkeeper of the Seventh European Cup and Metzelder. With Özil and Khedira has remained the good luck and team has won the "Copa del Rey". With Sahin and Altintop, the list of Germans will be ten.

Özil and Khedira

Özil
Only 22 years old and in Sevilla played his 50th match with the Madrid, where is already the king of assists (22) ahead of Di Maria (19) and Cristiano (10). His left foot and great vision of play dazzle the fans. Just needs more physical, but he is a potential "crack".

Khedira
Just turned 24 years, this German with Tunisian father has earned the confidence of Mourinho, but not the Bernabeu fans. He came endorsed by the great World Cup and the Portuguese coach made ​​him a starter in the Spanish Cup final and the big games of the season ahead of Lass.

Metzelder
He came to Madrid as one of the most promising central defenders of Germany and could even play on the left side despite his height (1.94 m). But nothing to do with reality. He was hooking injury after another until play only 30 games in three seasons with the white team. Cristophe went Schalke as came, free.

Illgner
Capello got his way. Buyo, too short for his taste and Canizares, with little experience, were not worth. He arrived at the age of 29, with a reputation for sober and with a very attractive wife who was also his manager. In Madrid won a League title, two European Cups and one Intercontinental. And while, appeared a young man called to make history: Iker Casillas.

Schuster
He could read the game in the field and then execute a plan with great precision. Mendoza took advantage of a crisis of German player at Barcelona after eight years there, to sign him and stir the controversy between the teams. Two seasons later went on to Atletico.

Stielike
Sacrifice and power in midfield. Madrid was coming off one of its worst seasons (76-77): ninth in the League, eliminated in the second round of the Champions League and in third round of the Spanish Cup. Bernabéu decided to turn with Wolf, Juanito and Stielike and the team resurfaced. He raised four League titles, two Spanish Cups and one UEFA Cup. He was signed to replace Breitner.

Breitner
He was the Santiago Bernabeu's response to the emergence of Cruyff at Barcelona. Bernabeu asked his staff what German player they liked more in World Cup 74 and signed Breitner. Madrid won the League and the Spanish Cup in his fierst season. Breitner was an "industrial" midfielder.

Netzer
Bernabéu fell in love with his cerebral play at Euro 1972. He "jumped" to Madrid from Moenchengladbach, which also exported Simonsen Jensen and Stielike to Spain. With 28 years became the first German to play in the Spanish league. He won the Spanish Cup in his first year in white.

Khedira hopes to play again this season?

The German international and Real Madrid player, Sami Khedira, thinks now that the season is not over for him, despite the muscle tear he suffered in the Spanish Cup final, and works for a speedyrecovery to play, eventually, in the final of the Champions League: "I will do my best to be ready as soon as possible", said the player in his Facebook profile.

"I hope to be able to participate in a possible final of the Champions League. Let's see what happens", continued the player, who was injured in overtime on Wednesday match against Barcelona last week. Initially, Khedira assumed that the season was over for him and, although obviously he will not play in the first leg of the semifinal tomorrow, now believes that he is not ruled out to participate in the second leg match on May 3, at Camp Nou Stadium.

The German international was treated in Munich of his tear by the German national team doctor Dr. Müller Wohlfart, an authority in this area. "We will decide among all, the doctors of Real Madrid and the German doctor, when I can play again", said Sami Khedira.

Khedira hopes to play again this season

Sami Khedira out for the rest of the season

Sami Khedira will miss the rest of the season. In lack of official confirmation by Real Madrid, the German midfielder's injury in his hamstring is more serious than it seems. So much that Jose Mourinho will be deprived of the midfield player in the remainder of the season. "The season is finished for me", confirmed the player.

Khedira finished injured the final of the "Copa del Rey" disputed between Real Madrid and Barcelona on Wednesday. In fact, Germany player had to be replaced by Esteban Granero just moments after the goal of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Yesterday, Khedira traveled to Munich to be examined by Dr. Müller Wohlfart, a doctor of his choice. And while still lacking the official confirmation of Real Madrid, his hamstring injury is more severe than expected. Undoubtedly a setback for Mourinho, who is in the German midfielder a man of his confidence.

The player himself, after leaving the clinic where he was examined, expressed his pessimism. "I am very frustrated. It is a very hard time for me", he said in comments reported by German media. Khedira will miss the two matches against Barcelona, corresponding to the semifinals of the Champions League, and the six matches remaining in the League. Khedira forced to play the Spanish Cup Final after leaving the training the day before when he had only been ten minutes into the session.

Khedira will miss the rest of the season

Khedira dressed as a bullfighter for the 'Sport Bild' magazine

Sami Khedira surprised with a bullfighter dress for the weekly magazine Sport Bild. In a very personal interview (it is a serial of Germans playing outside the country), midfielder reveals some details of the Real Madrid dressing room. He admits that comes out with Cristiano Ronaldo and Mourinho encourages him. He talked about how he sees Spain: "The mentality is different. The Spanish are proud people. I had to get used to things like eating out or how are the people".

Khedira dressed as "Torero"

He talked about peer relations: "We often go out together. Gago and Marcelo have invited me. The players live out of town and do barbecues in the garden. Team meals are six to eight weeks. We go to basketball. The last time was against Olympiakos. I was with Marcelo, Pepe and Cristiano".

He said about the fitness of Özil: "He quickly integrated. The World Cup helped us. There were players with foreign roots. It showed that the Germans are open to new things" He talked about himself and Mourinho: "We have good tactical training. I got better in the air. For many people, Mourinho is serious and arrogant, but he is human and respectful. He works hard and put balance between fun and work".

He also made an allusion to Stielike: "For people he was the most important German who played in Madrid. He is more recognized here than in Germany".