Real Madrid's maverick French international striker Nicolas Anelka has admitted that playing alongside fellow strikers Raul and Fernando Morientes is going to be problematic next season - if he stays with the newly crowned European champions.
Both Raul and Morientes got on the score-sheet in the Meringues' 3-0 Champions League Final win over fellow Primera Liga outfit Valencia.
However, Anelka's starring role in the semi-final win over Bayern Munich redeemed him in the eyes of many Madrid fans after his much-documented problems with the Spanish side this season.
"It's difficult playing all three of us together. That would mean me on the right, Morientes on the left and Raul in the hole to feed me," Anelka told AFP.
"But then it would be me who would score the goals and I would steal the limelight from him (Raul). I would be the star. I want the Spanish people to understand I don't want to steal the limelight from Raul.
"I read in the Spanish press that Raul did not want to pass me the ball, but I did not come (to Madrid) to steal the limelight from him. I am not at Real to get in his way," he added.
Anelka admitted that relationships with his teammates had not been easy especially after his 45-day suspension without pay for refusing to train - a penalty that was lifted after 22 days after the Frenchman made a public apology.
"The season was very difficult," said the 21-year-old.
"There was a very bad atmosphere and it was very difficult with my team-mates for a while. We should not forget what happened just because we have won the Champions League.
"For the final they sacrificed me by getting me to cut off the overlaps made by (Valencia's) right back. It's normal. But if they spent 37 million dollars on me it is not to play me on the right wing when I am a centre forward."
Asked if he might leave Real after his troubled season - following an equally controversial stay with English Premiership club Arsenal - Anelka said: "I want to stay. I will discuss with them (the Real directors) to see what they want. My brothers (Claude and Didier, also his agents) will take care of it,” -- (AFP)
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