Manchester City’s troublesome midfielder Samir Nasri is desperate to put past controversies behind him and become a key player for the French national side.
The 25-year-old has experienced a turbulent few years on the international stage and fell out with former City boss Roberto Mancini this season.
However, the ex-Arsenal man is determined to rid himself of this reputation and get on with performing at the highest level.
“I want to show who I am, bring my qualities to the team, show that I’m not what people say I am: the little w***** who wreaks havoc in the squad,” Nasri told RTL.
“That’s a load of rubbish. I was never that at Arsenal, nor was I at Marseille and not at City either.
“It’s a reputation which follows me, which sticks to me like glue with the French national team. It’s up to me to get rid of it and be beyond reproach.”
Nasri was recalled to the France squad this month for the first time since a troubled Euro 2012 campaign left him well out of favour.
A gesture to the press box to celebrate scoring against England was followed by a verbal spat with a journalist after Les Bleus’ quarter-final defeat to Spain.
The latter left him banned for three matches and out in the cold, but new manager Didier Deschamps wants to assess the midfielder for himself.
Nasri is grateful for the opportunity and eager to carry his end-of-season form into the summer, as well as displaying the responsibility he is capable of.
“It made me grow, made me mature,” he added. “I regret certain things. I above all regret having waited seven or eight months to apologise.
“That’s really what I regret – I should have spoken out sooner.”
France are preparing to face Uruguay and Brazil in friendlies on June 5 and 9 respectively.
Image courtesy of CityTV, via YouTube, with thanks.
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