Bayern Munich defender Mats Hummels has said he does not bear a grudge over Germany coach Joachim Loew's decision to axe him and teammates Thomas Mueller and Jerome Boateng.
"I myself do things that other people aren't happy with, so I am not resentful about decisions other people make which have an effect on me," Hummels said in an interview with Sport Bild magazine on Wednesday.
Loew's decision to send the experienced Bayern trio into international retirement sent shockwaves through German football three weeks ago.
The Germany coach faced heavy criticism for the way he had communicated the decision, with Mueller saying that Loew had shown a lack of class.
Hummels, though, struck a more conciliatory tone on Wednesday.
"It was impossible for Loew to find the perfect way of informing us," he said.
"It was probably difficult for him to find a way in which we could all leave the discussion feeling like everything had been done in the right way." The 30-year-old admitted that Loew's decision had been difficult to take, but said that he is not looking back in anger at his international career.
"I did feel snubbed in a way. Thomas, Jerome and I all felt that there could have been a bit more appreciation for us. But my eight years playing for Germany were great."