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."
