Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo revealed he nearly quit football after he was bullied over his accent.
The Portuguese star claims he was bullied at Sporting Lisbon's academy after leaving his native Madeira at the age of 12, and says he often used to cry down the phone to his mother.
"As soon as I opened my mouth, they immediately started laughing and mocking. I was traumatised. I felt like a clown. I cried with shame," he revealed.
"I called my mother saying I could not stand it, that the other kids were making fun of me and that I wanted to return home. Today, I am very proud of my accent. I find it striking."
He also suggests that the uproar surrounding his involvement in Wayne Rooney's World Cup dismissal last year was the reason behind his good form last season.
"After the match I was criticised and whistled at," he said. "It was not very pleasant but it did me some good. With this I grew wiser and it helped me to mature.
"I feel privileged the British people have taken me to their hearts. The best thing about Britain is the people."
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