Alaba: Euro 2016 criticism has made me stronger

Bayern Munich star David Alaba says the criticism he received during Euro 2016 has made him a stronger person.

Austria went into the tournament with high expectations after going unbeaten through qualifying and topping their group with nine wins and a draw from 10 games.

However, Alaba’s side had a tournament to forget, losing their opening game against Hungary 2-0 before a 0-0 draw with Portugal and a final defeat to tournament surprise packages Iceland sent them crashing out at the group stage.

Alaba says that despite the huge disappointment he felt he still learnt plenty from the experience and believes it will ultimately help him to improve.

“I have still taken a lot out of the tournament in France, gained a lot of experience,” he told Bild.

“The criticism in Austria, which came after our departure, I have accepted. It was a new experience for me, since I am relatively young.

“But I have emerged stronger from it. This has shaped me as a person, but also as a player on the pitch. The criticism after the European Championship made me even stronger!"