EMMANUEL ADEBAYOR

Things haven't always gone right for me in football.

I was born in a house without a light or a toilet, so why would I forget who I am or where I come from?

I have never criticised Tottenham fans.

If one player can say that I, Emmanuel Adebayor, spoke badly to anyone in the changing rooms, then I'd honestly like to know who it is. It has never happened in my life.

I plan with the BBC African Player of the Year award to become an agent of hope and positive change in the lives of the millions of African youths who have lost hope and are deprived.

I have never been a bad influence in the dressing room.

It is always nice to have a message from Jose Mourinho.

You want to play against the best defenders and the best teams. You want to test yourself.

Money is killing football: people are making their decisions based on money.

Fans have to try to control their emotions, as we do as footballers.

When I signed for Real Madrid, I knew it was a big club, but only when you're inside do you realise the magnitude of this team.

Sometimes you have to be dirty to win some games.

Winning is good but is better when it becomes a means of hope and positive change in the lives of those who are deprived.

You know, us in Africa, all what we know, all what we dream about is football. Because when I was young, all what I tried to do, all what I had a chance to watch on TV was football.

It was a dream to play in a stadium as impressive as the Santiago Bernabeu.

I'm from Africa, and I have to give something back to my community. You all know that I've been doing a lot of charity stuff without knocking at any door. I'm taking my own wages to do it, and I will keep doing it until the end of my career.

My father always told me to be myself and say what you think is the right thing; sometimes you pay the consequences, but it means tomorrow will be a happy day for you.

I have never said I would leave Arsenal.

I would not refuse to play for my country over money.

Scoring goals is what I do best in my career.

We are all human beings. We all go through a lot at certain times of our lives.

I had some great experiences in England in clubs who are among the best in the country. I was happy there - my family, too. The only error that I made was to sign for Crystal Palace in January 2016.

My relationship with Pochettino was beautiful. I think we have a very, very good relationship, with man-to-man conversations.

I want to be part of a club that is aiming to be one of the biggest in the world.

It's football - fans are passionate about it, and sometimes it's difficult for players to take, but we are good men, and we all make mistakes, and we are footballers.