Ghanaian attacking midfielder Kevin Prince Boateng has revealed he considered quitting football following periods of frustrations in a relatively young career.
The 30 year old returned to the German Bundesiga after a stellar season in the Spanish La Liga with Las Palmas.
Boateng, who made 29 appearances for Las Palmas bagged in ten goals to emerge to the top scorer of the club.
However, prior to his move to Spain the German-born Ghanaian star insisted he considered quitting football after Schalke had suspended him during his time with the club.
"I said to myself: ‘Why not?’" he told Kicker.
"I've earned a lot of money, seen everything and have a wonderful family. What else can I do? But that was only for two days."
Boateng, who now plays for Eintracht Frankfurt, believes if he had worked harder, he could have maybe been playing for Real Madrid.
"My dream is to help young players," he said.
"I don't want them to make the mistakes I did in the past. The rest? I was 20 when I dreamt of other things.
"If I had always been honest to myself, I might play at Real Madrid."
The former A.C Milan player has now played over hundred games in the Bundeliga, after returning from Spain having already played for several clubs in Germany including Borrusia Dortmund, Schalke and Hertha Berlin.