Karim Bellarabi (32) is entering the final six months of his contract at Bayer Leverkusen and after missing several games through injury over the last 18 months, the 32-year-old is playing for his future.
Bellarabi missed 20 games across all competitions last season through various injuries and has played just 69 minutes of football across three games this season, missing 14.
“Of course, last year was very difficult,” Bellarabi told Kicker. “I always try to stay positive but I don’t want to think about it too much. I want to step on the gas every day and try to help the team.”
With a contract until 2023, Bellarabi has to prove himself in the next six months. “Whether I have to listen to my body and say: OK, there have been too many injuries lately, I have to slow down a bit or whether I still have to find something [a move] abroad,” added Bellarabi.
Should Bellarabi prove his fitness, then it may be possible to continuing playing: “You never know what’s going to happen next but in Germany, my goal would be to end my career here [at B04].”
Bayer Leverkusen are down in 12th with five wins, three draws and seven defeats, but are just seven points behind Borussia Dortmund who occupy the UEFA Europa Conference League spot.
Following a meniscus operation, Bellarabi is fit again and is ready to help his team. Four of Leverkusen’s five Bundesliga wins have come under Xabi Alonso, who replaced Gerardo Seoane.
GGFN | Daniel Pinder
