Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels has hit back at recent media criticism of his performances, saying he is not getting the credit he deserves.
The Germany international has kept a low profile in recent weeks but believes any weakness found in Dortmund's game is being blamed on him.
"Whenever there is an opportunity to have a real go at somebody, then this tends to be taken when it comes to me," said the 26-year-old to Kicker magazine. "Bad things sell more papers.
"I feel I am definitely being rated unfairly and to be honest, I think I am playing a lot better than most of the media claim.
"I don't agree with a lot that I see reported. It makes me wonder whether it is intentionally so negative - and wrong - or whether subconsciously only the bad bits are being seen."
Hummels was dropped to the bench by Dortmund coach Thomas Tuchel for Sunday's 4-1 win over Stuttgart.
His demotion came after a mistake in Dortmund's defeat to Krasnodar in the Europa League on Thursday night, and he chose the aftermath of that game to break his silence.
"It was because the penalty was my fault and I didn't want somebody else to have to say it," Hummels said.
"I had also noticed that the media's treatment of me while I had been keeping silent was not getting any more objective.
"In fact, I unfortunately felt that it was getting even more extreme.
"I know I can be thick-skinned and stubborn at times, but I always allow for discussion."
Hummels also spoke specifically about a rumour he had read which said he had told Dortmund that he is not married to them, reportedly in a bid to put them under pressure when it comes to extending his contract beyond 2017.
"That is a really big story for me," he said. "I never, ever said these things in my life, and to be quite honest I have a problem with something being fabricated entirely."
Source: PA-WIRE
