AC Milan midfielder Kevin Prince Boateng has revealed how a moment of self-reflection got his career back on track.
Midfielder looked at the man in the mirror before reforming
AC Milan midfielder Kevin Prince Boateng has revealed how a moment of self-reflection got his career back on track.
Ahead of Wednesday's UEFA Champions League last 16 first leg against Arsenal, the former Tottenham flop has admitted his career almost went off the rails while at White Hart Lane.
Boateng's party lifestyle was in danger of ruining his talent, but he reformed his ways and, having also spent time at Portsmouth, is now a star at Milan.
He said in
The Sun: "Tottenham didn't give me a chance and I didn't focus on work. But those problems helped me become a better player and man.
"I was on a downer, because I wasn't playing and I was going out late to nightclubs and all that bulls**t."
Big player
He added: "It was like a movie.
"I looked in the mirror and said, 'What do you want? You want to go out every night with your friends? What is more important?' I answered, 'I want to be a big player.'
"I saw many talents who were shooting stars. It could have been me.
"A friend of mine was the biggest talent at Hertha Berlin. But one day I ordered pizza and he delivered it. I didn't want to see myself like that.
"These things happen, because maybe you think, 'I've made it. I'm a big player now.' I had those thoughts.
"It's normal when you're young, but you have to understand how to handle it."
