Former Tottenham and AC Milan midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng has revealed how he spent years partying and wasted a lot of his money frivolously.
The Ghana international, now at Las Palmas, is finding his form in Spain and is now more mature, speaking to Marca in an interview in which he revealed a lot about his life.
“In two years I spent all my money on cars, watches, boots, discos, restaurants and friends who in reality were not friends at all,” he explained.
“For a boy like me, who grew up in a poor neighbourhood and without money, it was dangerous.”
Although he was touted as one of the stars of the future, Boateng never made good on all the talent and potential he had, and that is something he wishes would have been different.
“I regret a lot of things,” he said. “When I was younger I didn’t work hard because I could rely on my talent. That’s not the right way. I wish I’d worked harder, but it was normal then because I was the boss of my town and had money and fame.”
Boateng has been playing well for the Canarian side, proving the doubters wrong who thought he was only coming to the Spanish islands to have a good time.
“They talk a lot. Many people said that I came to party. If I wanted to party I would have gone to cities like London and Milan. In my life there’s been a lot of partying.
“I came here to show people what sort of player I am. This is why I work every day. In football things change quickly. In just a month everyone talks of me only as a footballer.”
Las Palmas are ninth in La Liga, with the minnows doing well in part thanks to Boateng’s experience and quality on the ball.
He has scored five goals for them this season, playing on the left side of midfield.
He also answered other questions for the Spanish daily, saying Cristiano Ronaldo is the best player on the planet but “Leo Messi is not human, he’s from another galaxy”, while hailing Chelsea’s Claude Makelele as the best player he has faced, while at Tottenham.
Boateng also picked out Old Trafford and Anfield as his favourite stadiums and says the problem with food in the Canaries is that everything has too much garlic in – even when he asks for dishes without it.
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