Teerasil Dangda _ one of the most sought-after Thai strikers in the Thailand Premier League today _ has managed to keep himself grounded despite the fame and fortune that has come with his resounding success. At the time of this interview, the 24-year-old's latest goal, a first-half header against Chainat FC, ensured SCG Muang Thong United clinched the coveted Thailand Premier League title earlier this month.
The Bangkok-born talent, who has played for Muang Thong for four years, has also had an impressive run of form at national level.
Making it this far in professional football for the softly spoken sporting talent has been a journey of ups and downs. A warm and caring family is what has kept him focused during the tumultuous years, said the droopy-eyed Teerasil, who is paid a whopping six-digit monthly salary for his contribution towards keeping the team in contention.
But despite the handsome financial rewards, Teerasil has not forgotten his humble beginnings growing up in run-down government flats in Don Muang district.
The video clip below, uploaded to YouTube by tingtongrpg, shows Teerasil's football skills from 2011 to 2012.
"As a low-ranking government officer, my father Prasit brought home a pittance while my mother worked in a factory to supplement his income so my younger sister and I could hold our heads high in society," he reminisced.
"It was my father's passion for football that gave me a deep appreciation for the game at an early age. He used to play for the Royal Thai Navy's lower division team, and was very disciplined in his daily training. As my father didn't want me to stay at home alone, I was instructed to wait for him to take me home at the football stadium where he practised."
Teerasil recalled how his father has always stood by him through thick and thin: "Without letting me into his little plan of wanting to see me become a footballer, he began training a group of us eight-year-old boys so I would have friends to practise with. I was 12 when I left home to study at Assumption Thonburi school, which back then had just started a sports programme. It was a boarding school, so I missed my family terribly.
"One day I called my father in tears, telling him how miserable I felt being on my own. He probably realised I was at the end of my tether, so he surprised me by spending the night at the dorm, together with 20 others players.
"I believe the confidence I have in myself is largely because of the love and attention I received from my father. He has never forced me to do anything I don't want and has always been my confidante."
After completing high school, Teerasil, who admits to not being academically inclined, decided it was time he put his university education on the back-burner to concentrate on making it to the senior national football team_ which he did at age 18.
Back then, rubbing shoulders with the likes of former national stars of the calibre of Kiatisak "Zico" Senamuang and the rest was an enlightening experience for the starry eyed youngster. Teerasil made his national debut at the Asian Cup, held at Huamark's Rajamangala Stadium six years ago, where Thailand played Iraq.
Teerasil was so excited that he recalls very little of what actually transpired during the 15 minutes he was given to show his prowess with the ball.
As if Teerasil was destined to make a career of his passion for football, the following year the budding star was approached to accompany national footballers Kiatprawut Saiwaew and Suree Sukha for a stint at English Premier League football club Manchester City, which was then owned by former prime minster Thaksin Shinawatra.
Still inexperienced, he was well aware the opportunity arose to help create a buzz. In retrospect, he said he was very lucky to be part of the entourage, despite the fact that the trio failed to obtain work permits to play for City. Teerasil and Suree enjoyed another short stretch with Swiss club Grasshoppers Zurich after their one-and-a-half-month stay with the English football club.
He admits to having picked up a lot of technical skills during his stay with both clubs.
"In total I stayed for three months at both clubs," said Teerasil, who hopes to take up coaching teenagers when he retires.
"I was taught not just the technical side of the game, but also what it meant to be a professional footballer. One important aspect I learned was the need to not feel obligated to pass the ball to a senior teammate just because he expects me to. The attitude of seniority should not be used on the pitch.
"I try to instil this mindset when we practise in our team. Being punctual and disciplined are also attributes that I believe makes for a true professional."
From his exposure overseas, Teerasil believes that a first-class striker should be a great finisher. As the primary objective of a striker is to find the back of the net, composure, which is all about the knack of keeping a cool head especially when ready to score, is a total must to master. The ability of players to find space and move off the ball is also important. They are attributes worth considering when a striker is looking to drag defenders away and create space for him and others to score.
"Acquiring a decent technique is always a good thing," he said, adding that a player with superior technique will have a better opportunity to execute that volley or curling shot.
Among his biggest role models is retired French footballer Zinedine Zidane, who apart from going down in football history for his infamous World Cup final headbutt on Marco Materazzi, is a prolific athlete regarded by many as being the best to have ever set foot on a football pitch.
Outside of football, the dutiful son and brother has used his wealth wisely _ purchasing a house and car for his family. His free time is often spent playing computer games, and yes, you guessed it, they're all to do with football. He admits to occasionally enjoying a guys' night out. But being a role model to youngsters is high on his list of priorities.
"Today's Thai Premier League is huge and financially lucrative, so players have to be at the top of their game to survive. Nobody would have believed in the past that a professional Thai footballer could manage to get a six-digit monthly salary playing in a Thai club," said Teerasil.
"But with the high salary and fringe benefits, players have to train themselves well enough to compete at a high standard. It is not easy, but [it's] possible if you sets your heart to it."