Former AC Milan and Tottenham Hotspur playmaker Kevin Prince Boateng has opened up on his troubled jump to stardom in football, and reveals how he spent all of his money in just two years.
The29-year-old currently plays for lowly La Liga sideLas Palmas, who are nowseeing the best of the Ghanaian, but is happy with life at his new club and back playing football.
However, it hasn't always been simple for the player, whose talent as a youngster and bad influences led to Boateng spending his money on the wrong things.
And speaking toMarca, Boateng has admitted that he regrets a lot of decisions he made when he was a young player, and wishes he had worked harder to fulfil his potential.
"In two years, I spent all my money on cars clubs, and friends that really weren't," Boateng said.
"For a guy like me, I grew up in a poor neighbourhood, and having all that money to spend was dangerous.
"I regret a lot of things. When I was younger, I didn't work hard because I could rely on my talent.
Kevin Prince Boateng wasted money on 'cars, clubs and friends who weren't friends' https://t.co/laKI2iwzyt
"That's not the right path.
"I wish I'd worked harder, but then again, it was normal back then, since I was the boss of my town and had money and fame."
Putting his past behind him, Boateng has started the new season well for his new club in the Canary Islands, scoring two goals in his opening five games, and is going some way to trying to revive a career that could have been so different.