"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. 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."
That bothered him, but the abuse he received after the 2006 World Cup certainly did not, "After the match I was criticised and whistled at. 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."