Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed he nearly quit football as a youngster because he was taunted over his accent.
In an interview with Champions magazine, Ronaldo, who left his native Madeira for the Portuguese mainland at the age of 12, said he often cried down the phone to his mother after being bullied at Sporting Lisbon's academy.
"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."
Ronaldo has also claimed that the furore sparked by his involvement in Wayne Rooney's dismissal at the 2006 World Cup was the cause of his brilliant 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."
