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Kevin-Prince Boateng nearly retired due to criticism from the media
The German-born attacker says he could have quit football if not for his strong mentality.
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The 30-year-old has on most occasions made the headlines for the wrong reasons, having always stirred controversy off-the-pitch during his formative years.
The former AC Milan man has had numerous bust-ups with coaches in his career, including one which led to his indefinite suspension from the Ghana national team during the 2014 world cup.
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However, Boateng believes the criticisms that have come his way are sometimes way overboard.
According to him, the thought of retiring from the game once crossed his mind, but he overcame the temptation due to his strong mentality.
Commenting on the circumstances that led to the death of former German goalkeeper Robert Enke, Boateng suggested that the media may have played role in the then 32-year-old committing suicide.
The former Hannover 96 goalie took his own life at a railway in Germany after reportedly suffering from depression following the death of his daughter.
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Boateng insists negative articles written by the media sometimes prove damaging to the psyche of players, connecting it to his own football career.
The German-born Ghana international also laid into the media, insisting they sometimes disregard the personal feelings of footballers by treating them “like robots”.
Boateng told Kicker: “If you think about Robert Enke's suicide, one per cent of that was to do with the press and the whole hubbub. "If we take a look at all the articles which were written about me, who knows what I would do if I was not strong in my mind. There have been days where I have said, 'I can't go any longer'.
"I'm not only criticised because of my performances. It can happen that you play bad. Mark six [the lowest rating]? OK, I deserved it.
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"But when personal things are written to hurt you, that must not be the case. But we footballers are like robots who have to accept everything."
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