Kevin-Prince Boateng has ridden a metaphorical roller-coaster this season. On the up-side, his club Portsmouth defied expectations to reach the FA Cup final, where they fell narrowly to Chelsea. On the down-side, the midfielder and his team-mates bade farewell to the English top flight after being docked nine points for entering administration.
The player, who insists he has moved on from the bad boy image beloved of the media, is now focusing all his attention on the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa. The 23-year-old was born in Berlin but has opted to play for Ghana, and in an ironic twist of fate, he is now set to face his country of birth at the finals.
The eagerly-awaited group fixture has even more of an edge to it now, after Boateng's challenge on Michael Ballack in the FA Cup final caused the injury that forced the Germany captain to pull out of the FIFA World Cup. Interviewed, former Germany junior international Boateng spoke about his reputation, assessed Ghana's chances in South Africa, and named his favourites for the global showdown.
Question: Kevin, you've faced a storm of criticism for the foul which put Germany captain Michael Ballack out of the FIFA World Cup. You're still a young player, so how have you coped?
Kevin-Prince Boateng: Let me say first of all how sorry I am that Michael can't play at the World Cup. I never meant to hurt him, and I apologised to him on the spot. It was just a late challenge, nothing more. I have this image as a bad boy and it was quite a laugh at the start. These things amuse you as an 18-year-old. But I'm 23 now, I'm married and I have a son.
The image is a burden now. The media have given me this tag and they just sit and wait for me to do something stupid. But the people who know me realise I'm not like that. The most important things to me are my family and football, and I hope I can rid myself of this bad boy reputation over time.
You maintained your good form for Portsmouth last season. Were you satisfied with yourself?
You can always do better, but I had a decent season and learned a lot. We gave it everything we had as a team, and I'm really upset about what's happened to the club. I've yet to think through my future at club level. I have two more years on my contract, but I'm concentrating totally on South Africa now. We'll see what happens after that. But obviously, the eyes of the world are on the World Cup, so it can always be a showcase for a player.
You played for Germany as a youth, but you're a member of the Ghana squad for the FIFA World Cup in South Africa. What are the reasons behind your choice?
I really enjoyed playing for Germany. It was recognition for all the work I put in, and the German FA really helped me develop as a player. But I made mistakes. I had a feeling the German FA wasn't prepared to forgive me and I wouldn't be given another chance for the national team. I delivered for my clubs, but I was never mentioned in connection with the Germany set-up.
By comparison, I could have turned out for Ghana at the 2006 World Cup and at this year's Africa Cup of Nations. I was still holding out hopes of being picked for Germany and playing alongside my brother Jerome, so I turned Ghana down. But now I've made a rational decision, with my head rather than my heart.
Ghana have landed in a tough group. How would you rate Germany, Serbia and Australia?
I think Germany are favourites, although you have to fancy the Serbs too. But I know we have quality in the team, and I'm convinced we can spring a surprise.
Finally, who are favourites to win the FIFA World Cup?
C�te d'Ivoire are there or thereabouts. They have a superstar in almost every position. They've again been drawn in a tough group, but the time has come for them to make their mark. All their players are at top European clubs. If they can play well as a team, they could go a long way. Spain are also very strong contenders, and I see them in the final. And you can never discount Brazil and Germany.