Werder Bremen midfielder Diego has described the day he left the club without permission to join up with Brazil's Olympic squad as "one of the most difficult" of his career.
The 23-year-old flew to Paris to join the rest of the squad on Tuesday evening, having held talks with club officials throughout the morning.
Werder later revealed they had not given permission for Diego to join his international team-mates, and the player admitted it was not an easy decision to make.
"We actually had a very good discussion with the management of Werder and as much as they showed their understanding for my dream, I showed a lot of understanding for the fact they consider me a very valuable member of their team," Diego told Eurosport.de.
"It became clear to me, though, that neither side was going to back down and that it would not be an easy situation."
Diego revealed his fear of jeopardising his international future was a factor in his decision to ignore his club's wishes.
He added: "I was under a lot of pressure since I knew that my future in the Brazil national team could be in danger if I did not travel to the Olympics.
"That would have made me very unhappy and could not be Werder's aim at all.
"I just hope that all fans, particularly those of Werder, can understand me at least a little.
"I hope that I am not only celebrating winning an Olympic medal this season but also want many titles so that this difficult day can soon be put behind me and the positive aspects can return to the fore.
"Today was certainly one of the most difficult days of my career."
Diego appears to have the backing of FIFA president Sepp Blatter, who on Wednesday reaffirmed the release of players below the age of 23 for the Olympics is "mandatory".
"Regarding the release of players under the age of 23, the football family has always agreed that these players shall be released for the Men's Olympic Football Tournament," he said.
Bremen though have approached the Court of Arbitration for Sport in a bid to force Diego to return to them.
And the playmaker admitted that should his club win their case with CAS, he would have no problem with returning to the Weserstadion.
He added: "If it emerges that my club was right, then I will return without hesitation, that is for sure."
Werder later revealed they had not given permission for Diego to join his international team-mates, and the player admitted it was not an easy decision to make.
"We actually had a very good discussion with the management of Werder and as much as they showed their understanding for my dream, I showed a lot of understanding for the fact they consider me a very valuable member of their team," Diego told Eurosport.de.
"It became clear to me, though, that neither side was going to back down and that it would not be an easy situation."
Diego revealed his fear of jeopardising his international future was a factor in his decision to ignore his club's wishes.
He added: "I was under a lot of pressure since I knew that my future in the Brazil national team could be in danger if I did not travel to the Olympics.
"That would have made me very unhappy and could not be Werder's aim at all.
"I just hope that all fans, particularly those of Werder, can understand me at least a little.
"I hope that I am not only celebrating winning an Olympic medal this season but also want many titles so that this difficult day can soon be put behind me and the positive aspects can return to the fore.
"Today was certainly one of the most difficult days of my career."
Diego appears to have the backing of FIFA president Sepp Blatter, who on Wednesday reaffirmed the release of players below the age of 23 for the Olympics is "mandatory".
"Regarding the release of players under the age of 23, the football family has always agreed that these players shall be released for the Men's Olympic Football Tournament," he said.
Bremen though have approached the Court of Arbitration for Sport in a bid to force Diego to return to them.
And the playmaker admitted that should his club win their case with CAS, he would have no problem with returning to the Weserstadion.
He added: "If it emerges that my club was right, then I will return without hesitation, that is for sure."
Copyright (c) Press Association
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