Deisler

MUTU

Germany midfielder Sebastian Deisler said on Sunday that he was close to retirement after the last knee injury which denied him playing in the 2006 World Cup.

"I was close to quitting," Deisler told a news conference at the winter-break training camp of his club, the Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich.

Deisler had to undergo a fifth knee operation after injuring himself in a March 2006 friendly in Italy. He was sidelined until November and missed the summer World Cup in his home country.

Deisler said that he was no longer thinking about retirement now that he is playing again, but so far not wasting a thought on a national team return.

The 27-year-old is considered one of Germany's most gifted players, but due to injuries he has only played at one major tournament, Euro 2000. Apart from the knee injuries, he was also sidelined for months with depression.