Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery said he regrets getting involved in an affair with under-age prostitute Zahia Dehar in 2009.
The 28-year-old and other members of the France national team were embroiled in the sex scandal, however, after a prolonged and well-publicised trial, the accused escaped heavy sentences.
Ribery believes that he has matured since then, and is now calmer and less naive.
I was the boy next door who always knew what it meant to have no money. That changed when I turned professional. I was crazy, he told L Equipe.
When asked about his affair with Dehar, Ribery was self-critical.
I was such an idiot like never before. Now, however, I am less naive, less spontaneous, he said.
Everything has gone in the right direction for me. In Munich I burst back to form, people smile at me and pat me on the shoulder.
Ribery has made 19 appearances for the Bavarians this season, scoring eight goals and providing six assists.
