Martin Demichelis, who once said being dropped from the Argentina squad just before the 2006 World Cup was a fate worse than death, caused a stir in Germany this weekend for putting his country ahead of his employer.

Demichelis was dropped from Bayern Munich’s squad by coach Ottmar Hitzfeld on Friday for insubordination. The defender refused Hitzfeld’s request to play in the defensive midfield position against Energie Cottbus on Saturday in place of Mark van Bommel, who had been suspended by the league for making an obscene gesture.

Moments after Hitzfeld had informed journalists of his decision, Demichelis unexpectedly appeared before reporters to tell his side of the story. He was close to tears as he awkwardly explained that as much as he loved Bayern Munich he was now a defender for Argentina and wanted to play for Bayern in that position — not midfield anymore, even though that was his position after moving to Bayern from River Plate in 2003.

Perhaps getting dropped by Argentina just before the World Cup as a midfielder two years ago left a scar so deep that Demichelis, who has had a very good season anchoring Bayern’s defence, felt he had to take a stand and call Hitzfeld’s bluff. 

“It’s not only that I don’t have any desire to play anymore — I don’t have any desire to live,” Demichelis told German journalists in May 2006 after he was unexpectedly dropped by then Argentina coach Jose Pekerman.

On Saturday Bayern were soundly beaten by lowly Energie Cottbus 2-0 and Bayern’s weak Demichelis-less defence rightly got the blame for the fiasco.

On Monday Hitzfeld said Demichelis was back in the squad after apologising, even though Demichelis was quoted saying Hitzfeld was the one who should apologise.

In any event, the case once again raised the question of loyalties — what is more important? Club or country? The employer or the nation? Those who sign the cheques or those who wave the flags?

Erik Kirschbaum, Berlin

PHOTO: Demichelis in action for Bayern, July.7 2007 REUTERS/Michael Dalder